Energy drink consumption rate, knowledge and perceived side effects among long distance car drivers in Morogoro municipality Tanzania

Masters ThesisSeveral countries have banned energy drink (ED) sales within the markets claiming to cause health effects among the consumers. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Morogoro municipal in Morogoro region, Tanzania, to determine ED consumption rate, knowledge and perceived side effects among long distance car drivers. A total of 150 respondents (2 females, 148 males) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. In addition, 12 samples of EDs products were collected from six common ED brands and their caffeine content analyzed using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. About 55.3% of the long distance car drivers consumed three bottles of EDs per day, only 28.0% had high level of knowledge concerning ED consumption guidelines. Almost 97.3% of the respondents reported to have experienced side effects they link with consumption of EDs. The most common reported side effects were insomnia, restlessness and addiction and heart palpitations, as mentioned by 75.3%, 64.7%, 51.3% and 48% of the respondents, respectively. Mo Energy drink brand contained about 28.1(mg/100ml) of caffeine, which was nearly 1.6 times the caffeine concentration that was presented in the product information label. Overall, consumption rate of EDs among long distance car drivers is high whereby more than half of respondents 58.0% were consuming more than two bottles per day and hence, exceeding the daily recommended intake. Public health education is urgently needed to guide consumers of EDs and inform on the potential health adverse effects that may be caused by excessive intakes. Manufactures of EDs most honestly indicate the amount of caffeine and other ingredients on the package label in order for the consumers to know the right amounts of ingredients. They consume as well as the public health authorities should provide education to guide consumers of EDs and inform on the potential health adverse effects that may be caused by excessive intake