Socio demographic determinants of energy drink consumption among tertiary students in Botswana
1
Health Promotion & Education, Boitekanelo College, Gaborone, Botswana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1307
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Over the last twenty years, the global energy drink market has grown significantly, with college students becoming a key demographic. Despite their widespread use, energy drinks are associated to negative health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the sociodemographic factors influencing energy drink consumption among Boitekanelo College students.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional analytical design was used to investigate energy consumption among students. An adapted self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 353 learners who were selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to describe participants' characteristics and consumption patterns while Pearson's Chi-square was used to test associations between learners' and their demographic characteristics.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of energy drink consumption was 59%. Although most students had moderate knowledge (54%) or good knowledge (44%) of health effects, this knowledge did not deter use. Most students (65.9%) reported consuming energy drinks 2-3 times weekly, while 14.9% reported daily intake. The primary reasons for use were staying alert (52.4%), boosting energy for physical activities (22.1%), and improving performance (18.7%). Taste (42%) and affordability (22%) were key factors influencing product choice. Consumption typically occurred anytime during the day (36%) or before/during study sessions (35%). Males reported slightly higher use (64%) than females (58%), although not statistically significant (p = 0.142). Higher consumption was also observed among students aged 23–27 years (64%), third-year students (66%), and degree learners (61%), but these differences were not significant (p= 0.156, p= 0.156 and p = 0.180 respectively).
CONCLUSIONS:
Energy drink use is highly prevalent among Boitekanelo College students, despite their moderate to good awareness of the associated health risks. There is a clear need for institutional policies and targeted health promotion interventions to address these consumption patterns and mitigate potential adverse health outcomes.
Over the last twenty years, the global energy drink market has grown significantly, with college students becoming a key demographic. Despite their widespread use, energy drinks are associated to negative health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the sociodemographic factors influencing energy drink consumption among Boitekanelo College students.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional analytical design was used to investigate energy consumption among students. An adapted self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 353 learners who were selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to describe participants' characteristics and consumption patterns while Pearson's Chi-square was used to test associations between learners' and their demographic characteristics.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of energy drink consumption was 59%. Although most students had moderate knowledge (54%) or good knowledge (44%) of health effects, this knowledge did not deter use. Most students (65.9%) reported consuming energy drinks 2-3 times weekly, while 14.9% reported daily intake. The primary reasons for use were staying alert (52.4%), boosting energy for physical activities (22.1%), and improving performance (18.7%). Taste (42%) and affordability (22%) were key factors influencing product choice. Consumption typically occurred anytime during the day (36%) or before/during study sessions (35%). Males reported slightly higher use (64%) than females (58%), although not statistically significant (p = 0.142). Higher consumption was also observed among students aged 23–27 years (64%), third-year students (66%), and degree learners (61%), but these differences were not significant (p= 0.156, p= 0.156 and p = 0.180 respectively).
CONCLUSIONS:
Energy drink use is highly prevalent among Boitekanelo College students, despite their moderate to good awareness of the associated health risks. There is a clear need for institutional policies and targeted health promotion interventions to address these consumption patterns and mitigate potential adverse health outcomes.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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