Abstract:
In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks has increased substantially, particularly among young people. There are possible risks and adverse effects associated with energy drink consumption that have generated concerns, especially among the youth, due to the high caffeine and sugar content of these beverages. The purpose of the study was to determine the current consumption patterns of energy drinks among university students in Cape Coast and Tamale. The study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional approach. Using a multistage sampling technique, a total sample of 754 students from the University of Cape Coast and University for Development Studies was obtained, specifically 377 students from each university. For the study, structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The prevalence of energy drink consumption was discovered to be 89% among the study participants. Storm 54% (409), Rush 33% (252) and Lucozade 32% (240) were the three most consumed energy drinks. Insomnia was the most frequently reported adverse effect (36%), while seizures were the least frequent (2%). Taste, advertising, and accessibility were identified as predictors of energy drink consumption, with taste accounting for 52% of the variation in energy drink consumption and cumulatively advertising and accessibility accounting for 27% of the variance. There was a statistically significant gender difference in energy drink consumption. t (678.4) = 15.75; p < 0.05. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in the consumption pattern of energy drinks between students of UCC and UDS t (753) = 7.926; p < 0.05.
