Caffeine Consumption: Habits and knowledge of Public Health students at Benghazi University

Bushra Eltawati; Mariam Aljarrari; Ruba Bojaziya; Enass Alhussein; Amira Alsanousi; Masarah Aguely; Mouwada Adrees

doi:10.54361/ajmas.26938

Authors

Bushra Eltawati Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7415-3411
Mariam Aljarrari Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2792-5472
Ruba Bojaziya Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1443-7011
Enass Alhussein Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2032-9095
Amira Alsanousi Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4831-5947
Masarah Aguely Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8340-3536
Mouwada Adrees Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4902-9520

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.26938

Keywords:

Caffeine consumption, Habits, Knowledge, College students

Abstract

Caffeine consumption is a habit of many university students worldwide due to its wide availability and stimulatory effects; however, due to its side effects, it has become a global public health concern nowadays. Many previous research studies have revealed that college students have high caffeine consumption without adequate knowledge of its benefits, side effects, and withdrawal. This study aims to assess the caffeine consumption habits of public health students and their knowledge concerning its benefits, side effects, and withdrawal symptoms. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the public Health Faculty between February and March 2024. A total of 325 students aged 18 - 26 years, from first to final year, who agreed to participate and complete the questionnaire, were recruited from the Faculty of Public Health. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The sample was composed of 92% females and 8% males; most of them (56.92%) aged 21-23 years. Most participants (39.08%) were from the fourth year, and the majority (91.08%) were caffeine consumers. Most students started their caffeine consumption at 13-17 years. Coffee was the most preferred caffeinated drink (55.80%); about half of the participants (50.15%) consume caffeine 2-3 times a day, commonly in the morning (59.38%). The most common reason for caffeine consumption was for academic purposes (55.13%). The majority of students know caffeine (87.69%), and about (68.61%) had awareness about products that contain caffeine. However, more than half of students (57.84%) don’t know the safe daily limit of caffeine. Most of the students had little knowledge about the benefits (80.31%), side effects (71.39%), and withdrawal symptoms (69.85%). The results highlight a high prevalence of caffeine consumption among public health students with little or inadequate knowledge about caffeine and suggest the need for awareness programs to educate the students about the wise consumption of caffeine, its side effects, and the healthier alternatives.