Energy drink consumption among pre-clinical medical students attending a public medical school in Istanbul, Turkey

Year 2019, Volume: 32 Issue: 2, 71 - 75, 31.05.2019

Ercan Kulak Seyhan Hıdıroglu Emel Lulecı Melda Karavus

https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.570908

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Objective: It has been reported that energy drink usage is
increasing worldwide despite reports of severe adverse health
effects. This study aimed to explore pre-clinical medical
students’ attitudes and perceptions in relation to energy drinks.
Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based
descriptive study of pre-clinical medical students attending a
public medical school in Istanbul, Turkey. Questions covered
the students’ sociodemographic characteristics, personal
habits (e.g., smoking and alcohol consumption), energy drink
perceptions and energy drink consumption, and their experience
of side effects from energy drinks. Chi-square tests were used to
compare the categorical data.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.27 ±
1.37 (range: 19-28) years, and 54.0% (n: 81) were females and
46.0% (n: 69) were males. Overall, 68.0% (n: 102) reported that
they had consumed an energy drink at least once in their lives,
with 29.4% of these reporting use in combination with alcohol,
22.6% reporting use before exams, 20.6% reporting use before
a physical activity, 13.7% reporting use to relieve fatigue, and
48.0% reporting that they had only tried an energy drink out of
curiosity.
Conclusion: A large number of participants tried energy
drinks out of curiosity, but energy drink consumption was quite
common in combination with alcohol. Case studies are needed to
provide detailed information on the actual adverse health effects
of energy drinks, but in the meantime, energy drink consumption
should not be encouraged. Health care providers should educate
children and families for the adverse effects of energy drinks.

Keywords

Energy drinks, Alcoholic beverages, Medical students

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