Energy drink consumption among Kabul University students: a cross-sectional study of prevalence, patterns, awareness,...

Energy drinks are stimulant-containing beverages, primarily formulated with caffeine and marketed to enhance mental and physical performance. Unlike coffee, tea, or caffeinated soft drinks, these products are specifically designed as functional stimulants.

This study aimed to assess university students' awareness of energy drinks and evaluate their consumption patterns, associated side effects, and reasons for use.

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from April to August 2023 at three major universities in Kabul, Afghanistan: Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul Education University, and Kabul University. We distributed 401 questionnaires to students across these institutions, achieving a response rate of 96.76% (n = 379 completed questionnaires). Thirteen students (3.24%) did not return their questionnaires. All collected data were entered and analyzed using SPSS software (version 21).

All participants were male, with ages ranging from 17 to 29 years (mean = 21.1 years; SD = 3.9). Energy drink consumption was reported by 89.97% of participants, of whom 41.34% were occasional users (less than one drink per week) and 56.59% were habitual consumers (3-4 drinks per week). Higher consumption (more than one can) was significantly associated with living alone (P = 0.000) and daily coffee intake (P = 0.005). The primary reasons for consumption included needing energy (33.66%, n = 169), enjoying the taste (24.90%, n = 125), and increased use during exams to improve alertness (12.35%, n = 62). There were no significant differences in energy drink consumption across academic years (P > 0.05). Most students recognized caffeine (86.8%) and sugar (89.97%) as key ingredients. Habitual consumers reported reducing sleep hours more frequently than occasional consumers (34.89% vs. 18.18%; P < 0.05) and were more likely to use it to aid studying/major projects (83.28% vs. 14.66%; P < 0.05). Adverse effects were reported by 67.44% (n = 230), primarily palpitations (44.54%) and insomnia (21.56%).

This study identifies frequent energy drink consumption among university students, driven primarily by the desire to boost energy, enjoy the taste, and enhance exam-time alertness. Over half of participants reported adverse effects, such as palpitations and insomnia. These results suggest a role for targeted educational programs to increase awareness of health risks. Further, policymakers may need to evaluate existing regulations on energy drink marketing and availability to address potential public health concerns.