Prevalence of Stimulant Drinks Consumption among University Students in North Western Nigeria

Background: Although young adults and college students are the primary target of energy drinks producing companies, there has been little studies regarding energy drinks awareness, safety perception and pattern of consumption among students in Nigeria.

Objectives: The aim of this research is to determine (i) the prevalence of energy drinks consumption (ii) awareness and the safety perceptions (iii) determinants and pattern of energy drinks consumption among medical students in the college of health sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto.

Methods: A total of 148 students consented to participate in this cross-sectional descriptive study. A pre validated semi structured questionnaire was designed to assess the students’ knowledge of energy drinks, pattern of consumption; including rate and types consumed, frequency of consumption and quantity consumed. The reasons for consumption, perception of safety concerns and side effects associated with the energy drinks. The responses obtained were extracted and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20).

Results

The life time prevalence rate of energy drinks consumption was 55.4% (n=82), while 25.7% are current users. Majority of participants have heard about the different types of energy drinks (96%).  Participants were more conversant with Power Horse (35.6%), Red Bull (28.9%) and Passion (20.8%). Majority of participants were not sure whether or not it is safe 63(42.6%), 44(29.7%) think that it is not safe and 41(27.7%) think it is safe. Among the users, the main reasons for energy drinks consumption is for energy 30(20.3%), as stimulant 16(10.8%), for alertness 14(9.5%), for pleasure 8 (5.4%), 6(4.1%) to relieve tension and for refreshment 4(2.7%). Forty three percent of the respondents take an average of 1 can per day, with up to 6 (4.1%) taking between 4 to 5 cans per day.

The majority of users have never experienced any side effects 80(54%), 68(46%) reported some form of adverse effects. The side effects mentioned are headache 11(16.2%), abdominal discomfort 4(5.9%), sleeplessness 29(42.7%), while hyperactivity and tremor were 10(14.7%), loss of memory and fatigue (1.5%) and itching 2(2.9%).

Conclusion: Using energy drinks is popular among medical students for varieties of reasons. Although most users take at least 1 can on daily basis, a few take 3 to 5 cans per day. Further, side effects from consuming energy drink are fairly common. Peer group influence is also a contributory factor to energy drinks awareness.