Predictors and Prevalence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption Among Health Care Professionals in Tamale, Ghana

The study assessed the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and its associated factors among health care professionals in the Tamale Metropolis.

In this cross-sectional study, 345 health care professionals were randomly recruited. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, screen time and SSBs. Descriptive, chi-square and regression analyses were used in the statistical analysis.

About 98% of participants had ever consumed SSBs and frequently consumed were sweetened local juice (61.6%), regular soft drink (50.4%), and sweetened coffee/tea (73.6%). Nurses (OR = 11.42, p < 0.05, 95% CI: 2.55-51.22), pharmacists (OR = 6.08, p = 0.04, 95% CI: 1.07-34.58) and nutritionists (OR = 5.37, p = 0.04, 95% CI: 1.02-28.31) had an increased risk of sweetened local juice intake. The odds of consuming regular soft drinks (OR = 3.27, p < 0.05, 95% CI: 1.72-6.21) and sport and energy drink (OR = 3.61, p < 0.05, 95% CI: 1.40-9.32) were higher among married participants. Female participants (OR = 4.07, p < 0.05, 95% CI: 1.79-9.26) had higher odds of consuming sport and energy drink.

Health care professionals showed a high consumption rate of SSBs and frequently consumed sweetened coffee/tea; however, they had even higher odds of sweetened local juice consumption.