The prevalence of energy drinks usage among secondary school learners in Mahikeng sub-district, Northwest Province

Abstract

The increase in the use of energy drinks among school learners has raised significant public health concerns. There is a lack of South African literature on the consumption of energy drinks among school learners, hence the need for the current study which aimed to investigate the prevalence of energy drinks usage among secondary school learners in Mahikeng sub-district of Northwest Province. A quantitative cross-sectional survey conducted was conducted among 505 secondary school learners using self-administered questionnaires. The study utilised a multistage sampling technique and data were analysed using STATA software version 18. The study findings indicate that the prevalence of current energy drinks usage was (82.11%). Pearson chi-square test of association identified seven factors that showed a significant relation with the frequency of energy drinks consumption. It is concluded that the prevalence of energy drinks usage among secondary school learners in Mahikeng was excessive. This underscores the need for heightened public health awareness campaigns and necessary policy regulations considering the risks associated with the use of these beverages.