Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

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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

Authors
Sandra D. Reid*, reid.dr@gmail.com, Jonathan Ramsarran, Rachel Brathwaite, Sarika Lyman, Ariane Baker, D’Andra C. Cornish, Stefan Ganga, Zahrid Mohammed, Avinash T. Sookdeo, Cathrine K. Thapelo
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
*Corresponding author. Address: Psychiatry Unit, School of Medicine, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel./fax: +1 (868) 662 3968.
Corresponding Author
Sandra D. Reidreid.dr@gmail.com
Received 14 August 2013, Revised 9 May 2014, Accepted 12 May 2014, Available Online 19 June 2014.
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2014.05.004How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Energy drink side effects; Jolt and crash; Rum and Red Bull; Trinidad and Tobago
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.

Copyright
© 2014 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Next Article In Issue>
Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
5 - 2
Pages
103 - 116
Publication Date
2014/06/19
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2014.05.004How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2014 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - JOUR
AU  - Sandra D. Reid
AU  - Jonathan Ramsarran
AU  - Rachel Brathwaite
AU  - Sarika Lyman
AU  - Ariane Baker
AU  - D’Andra C. Cornish
AU  - Stefan Ganga
AU  - Zahrid Mohammed
AU  - Avinash T. Sookdeo
AU  - Cathrine K. Thapelo
PY  - 2014
DA  - 2014/06/19
TI  - Energy drink usage among university students in a Caribbean country: Patterns of use and adverse effects
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 103
EP  - 116
VL  - 5
IS  - 2
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2014.05.004
DO  - 10.1016/j.jegh.2014.05.004
ID  - Reid2014
ER  -