Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2015, Pages 103–116
Energy drink usage among university students in a Caribbean country: Patterns of use and adverse effects
Abstract
Objective
There
has been little inquiry addressing whether or not concerns about
adverse effects of energy drink usage are relevant in the Caribbean.
This survey investigated energy drink usage and adverse consequences
among tertiary level students in Trinidad and Tobago.
Methods
A
cross-sectional survey of 1994 students from eight institutions was
conducted using a de novo questionnaire based on findings from a focus
group of students. Chi-squared analyses and logistic regression were
used to assess relationships between energy drink usage, adverse effects
and other factors affecting energy drink use, and to verify predictors
of energy drink use.
Results
Prevalence
of use was 86%; 38% were current users. Males were more likely to use,
used more frequently and at an earlier age. Energy drinks were used most
commonly to increase energy (50%), combat sleepiness (45%) and enhance
academic performance (40%), and occurred during sports (23%) and mixed
with alcohol (22.2%). The majority (79.6%) consumed one energy drink per
sitting; 62.2% experienced adverse effects, most commonly restlessness
(22%), jolt and crash (17.1%) and tachycardia (16.6%). Awareness of
adverse effects was associated with no use (p = 0.004), but adverse effects were not a deterrent to continued use.
Conclusion
Energy
drink usage is prevalent among students. The use is not excessive, but
associated with high rates of adverse effects and occurs in potentially
dangerous situations like during exercise and with alcohol. There is a
need to educate students about the potential adverse effects of energy
drinks.
Keywords
- Energy drink side effects;
- Jolt and crash;
- Rum and Red Bull;
- Trinidad and Tobago
Copyright © 2014 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
