Factors Associated with Consumption of Caffeinated-Beverage among Siriraj Pre-Clinical Year Medical Students, A 2-Year Consecutive Survey
Denla Pandejpong MD*, Supalerg Paisansudhi MD**, Suthipol Udompunthurak MSc***
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Wing 46 Hospital, Directorate of Medical Services, Royal Thai Air Force, Pitsanulok, Thailand *** Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Previous studies showed that significant proportion of medical students consumed caffeine to face sleep-
deprived daily schedules.
Objective : To monitor the trend of caffeinated-beverage consumption among Siriraj medical students as well as to study
possible factors associated with caffeine dependency.
Material and Method: The questionnaire was distributed to a class of medical students for 2 consecutive years. Statistical
analysis was performed for descriptive purpose.
Results : 269 (89.7%) and 225 (74.5%) questionnaires were returned in year 1 and year 2, respectively 16.2% refused to take
caffeine-beverages totally. 13% of those who consumed caffeinated-beverages developed caffeine dependence. From logistical
analysis, positive history of smoking-family member and female sex were the only other two factors associated with caffeine
dependency (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.04-4.61 and 1.76, 95% CI 1.01-3.07, respectively). Other investigated factors included:
exercise (p = 0.08); sleep hours (p = 0.24); reading beverage labels (p = 0.87); alcohol consumption (p = 0.59); class
performance (p = 0.87); family member coffee-drinking habits (p = 0.66); family member alcohol-drinking habits (p = 0.18);
and family income (p = 0.06).
Conclusion : Caffeinated-beverage consumption was common among Siriraj medical students. No significant change was
detected in the pattern of caffeinated-beverage consumption within the study period. Positive history of smoking family
members and female sex were found as the only other two factors correlated with caffeine dependency.
Keywords : Caffeine dependence, Caffeine consumption, Medical student, Self-report, Caffeine labeling
