Assessment of Trends of Consumption of Caffeine Containing Products and their Effects on Medical Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Objectives: To assess trend of consumption and withdrawal effects from caffeine containing products among medical undergraduate students of Karachi. Study design and setting: Cross-sectional study conducted via web-based questionnaire, from January 2020 to June 2021. Methodology: Undergraduate medical, MBBS students aged 18-24 years, studying in 6 different medical universities of Karachi were included in the study. An online survey was conducted. An online questionnaire was designed which consisted of 28 self-made questions that focused on collecting basic sociodemographic information, coffee consumption habits, and any adverse event associated with caffeine intake. The questionnaire was posted online and undergraduate medical students were invited to participate in the study. Results: One hundred and fifty seven students participated in the study. Out of 157 students 94% admitted to consuming some form of caffeine containing product (CCP), with 42.3% (n = 66) of the total believing that they were addicted to caffeine. A significant number also believed that CCPs helped students deal with their problems. Withdrawal symptoms include migraines, sleep disturbances, and loss of focus, leading to an inability to perform daily tasks. A positive correlation was also found between the daily intake of any CCP and incidence of withdrawal symptoms (p=0.01). Conclusion: Many students in medical universities of Karachi are moving towards caffeine dependence, due to daily consumption over a prolonged period of time. Promoting responsible consumption habits and spreading awareness over potential adverse effects of CCPs, especially amongst a younger audience could improve the health and lifestyles of students in the long-term.