Energy drink usage among university students in a Caribbean country: Patterns of use and adverse effects.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. Electronic address: reid.dr@gmail.com.
Sandra D
SD
Reid
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Jonathan
J
Ramsarran
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Rachel
R
Brathwaite
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Sarika
S
Lyman
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Ariane
A
Baker
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
D'Andra C
DC
Cornish
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Stefan
S
Ganga
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Zahrid
Z
Mohammed
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Avinash T
AT
Sookdeo
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Cathrine K
CK
Thapelo
D000328:Adult; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago; D014495:Universities
Energy drink side effects; Jolt and crash; Rum and Red Bull; Trinidad and Tobago