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The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with caffeine containing energy drink consumption which has been associated with existence of drinking experience and intention to re-consume in nursing students.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the college of nursing of Y University (Wonju, Republic of Korea) on 187 nursing students from freshmen to senior grade. Characteristics associated with the consumption of caffeine containing energy drinks were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from May to July in 2014, and included gender, school year, residence with family, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, perceived academic stress, depression (Beck’s Depression Inventory), self-esteem (Rogenberg’s Self-esteem Scale), and adjustment to college (Baker and Siryk’s Student Adjustment to College Questionnaire). In addition, caffeine containing ever-energy drink users were asked several questions regarding the reasons why they intended to re-consume caffeine containing energy drinks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and by logistic regression. Statistical significance was accepted for p values < 0.05.
Results:
Of the 187 participants, 137 nursing students (73.2%) had experience to caffeine containing energy drink consumption and 50 nursing students (26.7%) had no such experience. Statistically significant factors associated with experience of caffeine containing energy drink consumption were alcohol drinking (OR = 2.38, p = 0.032) and depression (OR = 4.49, p = 0.018). Furthermore, 74 nursing students (54.0%) among the 137 ever-energy drink users intended to re-consume caffeine containing energy drinks. Statistically significant factors associated with an intention to re-consume caffeine containing energy drinks were fatigue (OR = 2.61, p = 0.030), awaking from sleep (OR = 5.61, p = 0.001), and taste (OR = 7.11, p = 0.001).
Conclusion:
The consumption of caffeine containing energy drinks is common among nursing students who are destined to become future health care professionals and health educators. Awareness of factors associated with caffeine containing energy drink consumption and the intention to re-consume caffeine containing energy drinks provides useful health education tips and hopefully discourages unhealthy behavior by school health providers.