Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The use of prescription stimulants for cognitive enhancement by healthy university students, identified as the largest cohort of cognitive enhancer (CE) users, is of growing interest. The purpose of this study was to look at the understanding, perception, experience, and level of access of CEs among healthy university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
METHODS: The study was conducted in six highly competitive university programmes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 university students to discuss their own experiences and those of their friends and peers regarding the use of prescription stimulants. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven teaching faculty staff members (registered pharmacists and medical doctors) to explore their views on the use of CEs in their university.
RESULTS: Data were analysed thematically for the identification of themes and subthemes within the data using coding. It was found that, \'Adderall\' was the most common prescribed CE drug and caffeine super strength pills were the most common non-prescribed CE drug, both reported to enhance concentration, motivation, and meet academic deadlines.
CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the findings of this study will be of interest to a wide range of services in UAE universities. This will enable them to raise awareness about the use of CEs among students.
METHODS: The study was conducted in six highly competitive university programmes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 university students to discuss their own experiences and those of their friends and peers regarding the use of prescription stimulants. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven teaching faculty staff members (registered pharmacists and medical doctors) to explore their views on the use of CEs in their university.
RESULTS: Data were analysed thematically for the identification of themes and subthemes within the data using coding. It was found that, \'Adderall\' was the most common prescribed CE drug and caffeine super strength pills were the most common non-prescribed CE drug, both reported to enhance concentration, motivation, and meet academic deadlines.
CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the findings of this study will be of interest to a wide range of services in UAE universities. This will enable them to raise awareness about the use of CEs among students.
摘要：
目的：健康大学生使用处方兴奋剂增强认知能力，被确定为认知增强剂(CE)用户的最大群体，越来越感兴趣。这项研究的目的是观察理解，感知，经验,以及阿拉伯联合酋长国(阿联酋)健康大学生中CEs的获取水平。
方法：该研究在六个竞争激烈的大学课程中进行。对18名大学生进行了半结构化访谈，讨论了他们自己以及他们的朋友和同龄人在使用处方兴奋剂方面的经历。此外,对7名教职员工(注册药剂师和医生)进行了半结构化访谈,以探讨他们对大学使用CE的看法.
结果：对数据进行了主题分析，以使用编码识别数据中的主题和子主题。结果发现,“Adderall”是最常见的处方CE药物，咖啡因超强度药丸是最常见的非处方CE药物，两者都报告增加注意力，动机，并满足学术截止日期。
结论：预计这项研究的结果将对阿联酋大学的广泛服务感兴趣。这将使他们能够提高学生对使用CEs的认识。
方法：该研究在六个竞争激烈的大学课程中进行。对18名大学生进行了半结构化访谈，讨论了他们自己以及他们的朋友和同龄人在使用处方兴奋剂方面的经历。此外,对7名教职员工(注册药剂师和医生)进行了半结构化访谈,以探讨他们对大学使用CE的看法.
结果：对数据进行了主题分析，以使用编码识别数据中的主题和子主题。结果发现,“Adderall”是最常见的处方CE药物，咖啡因超强度药丸是最常见的非处方CE药物，两者都报告增加注意力，动机，并满足学术截止日期。
结论：预计这项研究的结果将对阿联酋大学的广泛服务感兴趣。这将使他们能够提高学生对使用CEs的认识。
