PATTERN OF CONSUMPTION, AWARENESS, AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE-CONTAINING BEVERAGES AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SOHAG UNIVERSITY, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of forensic medicine and clinical toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag ,Egypt

2 Department of public health and community medicine Faculty of medicine Sohag University

3 Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine , Sohag University

Abstract

Background: Medical students are exposed to high academic stress and consume caffeinated beverages to enhance their performance. Objectives: The study aims to identify consumption patterns, awareness, and adverse effects of caffeine-containing beverages as energy drinks among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study included healthy 350 medical students with a mean age group of 20 + 2 years using an interview questionnaire between October 2023 and January 2024. Results: The prevalence of caffeinated beverage consumption was high among participants (86.3%). The most consumed caffeinated beverage was tea 250 (82.7%), then coffee 238 (78.8%), then carbonated drinks 149 (49.3%), then energy drinks (ED) 111 (36.7%) with overlapping between them. The awareness section reflects the lack of knowledge and awareness among participants. The main reason for their consumption was alertness, which reflects the goal of consumption in the chosen population. There were 219 (72.5%) of consumers suffering from withdrawal manifestations. Headache, difficulty concentrating, and disturbed mood were the most common three withdrawal symptoms. There were 249 (82.5%) of consumers suffering from intoxication. The most common five symptoms were tachycardia 172 (56.9%), GIT disturbance 154 (50.9%), nervousness 152 (50.3%), restlessness 141 (46.6%), and insomnia 138 (45.6%), with overlapping between symptoms. Conclusion: The intake of caffeine-containing drinks among Sohag medical students was quite high and surpassed safe levels, necessitating programs to raise their awareness about the health consequences of excessive caffeine consumption.

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