Abstract: Energy drinks are widely consumed by young people, by college students, in particular, for a variety of reasons. Designed to enhance alertness or provide a short-term energy boost, these drinks have become nearly abundant on college campuses and recreational places. Energy drinks are beverages that contain large doses of caffeine and other legal stimulants such as taurine, carbohydrates, glucuronolactone, inositol, niacin, panthenol, and b-complex vitamins. They have stimulating properties that can boost heart rate and blood pressure, dehydrate the body, may aggravate the effects of other stimulants, and prevent sleep. In addition, researchers have assessed the impact of energy drinks on cognitive performance, with inconsistent results. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and consuming energy drinks among medical students at King Faisal University. Method: The current study is a cross-sectional survey conducted among medical students at King Faisal University, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia, during the period from September to October 2015 through self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 22.0.Result:A total of 527 students (288 males and 239 females) responded, 248 students from first to third year level ,and 279 students from fourth to sixth year level. And , 54 (42.5%), 45 (37.2%) males and females, respectively). of first three years and 84 (52.2%) , 27 (22.9%) males and females, respectively). Of last three years. Majority were live in urban areas 412 (78.2%) while 97 (18.4%) in rural areas, and only 6(1.1) in hijra areas. Energy drinks users were 210 (39.8%) and non-users were 317 (60.2%). Most students did not have a fixed frequency of use. The commonest reasons for use were to keep awake for better performance in the exams. Regarding awareness Only 158 (30.0%) users and 130 (24.6%) non users know the serious side effects of Energy drinks. Most common side effects known to the first to third years students were weight gain 6 (11.1%) male and 1 (2.2%) female while 14 (16.7%) male and o% female of fourth to sixth year students , anxiety 6 (11.1%) male and (0%) female of firs to third years students and among fourth to sixth year students is 16 (19%) male and 4 (14.8%9 female. and dental caries 42 (77.8%) male and 44(97.8%) female of first to third years students and 54 (64.3%) male and 23 (85.2%9 female of fourth to sixth year students. Conclusion This study showed a low prevalence of energy drinks consumption among medical students in king Faisal university. And their knowledge about ingredients and health risk of energy drinks was unsatisfactory The current results highlight the importance of education to raise the awareness among medical students as they will be part of educational team to educate all people in the future .
Keywords: Energy drinks, medical students, awareness, knowledge, King Faisal University.
Title: Awareness toward Energy Drinks among Medical Students in King Faisal University
Author: Seba M Ghreiz, Sayed Ibrahim Ali, Shereen Refaie, Abdulaziz Anzi Alshamrani, Nassir Khalifah Al-Mulhim, Ammar Nassser A-Mulhim, Saleem Ali Al-Saleem
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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