Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Energy Drinks Consumption Among Undergraduate Students of Bayero University, Kano

Abstract

Background: Caffeine being the major component in the energy drink is known to produce some negative effects and therefore its abuse may result in significant public health challenges. Objectives: This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of energy drinks consumption among undergraduate students of Bayero University Kano, Northwest Nigeria. methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to study 381 undergraduate students selected using a two-staged sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. The SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis with a p- value of ≤ 5% considered statistically significant. Result: The age of the respondents ranged from 17 to 49 years with a Mean± SD of 23.1±3.6years. The majority of the respondents were Muslims (91.6%). More than one-quarter (31.0%) of the respondents were studying health-related courses in the University. Up to 13% of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge of energy drinks while 79% had negative attitudes towards energy drink consumption. The knowledge of energy drinks consumption was found to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with sex, residence, sponsorship and influence on choice. The practice was significantly associated with sex, faculty and influence on choice. Further, the attitude was significantly associated (p<0.05) with age, sex, tribe and influence on choice. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice of energy drinks and negative attitude towards its consumption. The government should ensure strategies that can promote healthy consumption of energy drinks.