Objective: To determine the frequency of caffeine consumption and perspective of about adverse effects of caffeine consumption among undergraduate medical student of University of Karachi, Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences for the period of six months from January to June 2016. A total of 400 medical students from first to final year were included in this study through systematic random sampling technique. Data regarding the socio demographic characteristics, caffeine consumption and medical students perspective about adverse effects of caffeine were collected through self- administered semi-structured questionnaire, which was piloted on 5% of the sample size in a similar setting. Data were analyzed by SPPS version 21.
Results: Out of 400 students, 58.5% were females and 41.5% males. Mean age was 20.83 1.57 years. About 94% study participants were consuming caffeine and 44% were consuming it twice daily while 14.5% were consuming it thrice or more daily. About 70% of the students had knowledge about the safety limits of caffeine and 66% reported that caffeine can harm their health and 56% reported to feel addicted to caffeine.
Conclusion: Caffeine consumption is alarmingly high among undergraduate medical students. They had adequate knowledge about the adverse effects of caffeine on their health. Health promotional program with primary focus on primordial prevention would be the best way to reduce the harm of caffeine.
Key words: Caffeine Consumption, medical students, adverse effects of caffeine, safety limits of caffeine
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