Caffeine Consumption among Dental Students in Umm Al-Qura University

Background: Caffeine drinks are available at markets and shops on the university campus without regulation or proper education in use caffeine. The caffeine becomes a daily routine for dental students without attention for their side effect. Purpose of our study was to evaluate the awareness of dental students regarding caffeine drinks and their pattern and reason of energy drinks consumption. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted during the period of November - December 2014 at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU). A total number of 200 dental students in age group from 20-25 years old completed a questionnaire about caffeine consumption among dental students. Results: Out of the 200 participants, Caffeine drinks users were 80% (n=161) and non-users were 19.5% (n=39). With 60% (n=97) being males. Males consume significantly more caffeine drinks than females. The students consumed caffeine drinks to get social prestige and while (96.5) during exam period. Other reasons given include, feel alert (42%), just to reduce stress (60%), or deal with depression (15%). Conclusion: The prevalence of caffeine consumption among UQU dental students is high especially in exams period and social prestige. Sometimes they feel by tremor, anxiety, irritability and restlessness due to exposure to large dose from caffeine. We recommend creation of continued public health awareness about the appropriate use of caffeinated drinks, their potential benefits, side effects and correction of wrong perceptions. Further study to assess the educational level of awareness about the dangerous of side effect.