CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A MALAYSIAN PRIVATE MEDICAL SCHOOL

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of caffeine consumption and to assess the students’ knowledge on its benefits, side effects and withdrawal symptoms among first year medical students in a private medical school in Perak, Malaysia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 164 first year medical students in a private medical school through a self-administered pretested questionnaire. Using EpiInfo software version, minimum sample size calculated was 98 (90% confidence interval for hypothesised 33% frequency). Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 16. Results: 103 out of 150 questionnaires were returned. Analysis showed 90% consumed caffeine, with coffee (58%) being the most commonly consumed caffeinated product; followed by hot chocolate / chocolate bars (49%), and caffeinated tea (44%). Students consumed multiple caffeine products for example coffee and chocolate bars. Staying awake (86%) was the most frequent reason given for its consumption. Other reasons included preference for the taste (86%) and health purposes (37%). Most of the students (43%) consumed less than 7 servings of caffeine in a week. The average scores for questions on the benefits, side-effects and withdrawal symptoms were all not more than 5 out of 10. More than 50% of the students had moderate knowledge in all 3 areas assessed. Less than 5% of the students had no knowledge in the 3 areas assessed. Conclusion: The high percentage of caffeine consumption compared to the relatively low marks in the caffeine knowledge questionnaires indicated that most of the students were consuming caffeine without having adequate knowledge on its benefits, side effects and withdrawal symptoms.