The data gathered from the respondents were analysed under the following headings; socio-demographic characteristics, energy drink consumption or use, reasons for consumption, a pattern of consumption and general knowledge on energy drinks. Frequency and percentage were calculated for each categorical variable. P-values and Cramer's V were used to determine the presence of statistically significant associations and the extent of the association respectively between the variables.
Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Commercial Bus Drivers
One hundred and thirty-two (132) respondents were included in the study. All the respondents were males with the dominating age range being between the ages of 36 – 45 (34.1%) years. Also, most of them (80.3%) were Ewes and Christianity was the predominant religion (88.6%) of the drivers. Findings also revealed that more than half of the respondents (68.9%) were married. More than half (58.3%) of them had an educational level of SHS / Vocational training / Technical training whereas 6.8% had no formal education. Concerning years of commercial driving experience, the majority (62.1%) had more than 10 years of experience and 47.2% worked for between 4 – 6 hours in a day. The socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants are presented in Table 2 below.
Table 1: Effect Size (Cramer’s V)
Cramer’s V
|
Effect Size
|
< 0.1
|
Very weak
|
0.10 – 0.19
|
Weak
|
0.20 – 0.29
|
Moderate
|
≥ 0.30
|
Strong
|
Table 2: Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Commercial Bus Drivers
Parameter
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Total
|
132
|
100.0
|
Age
|
18-25
|
12
|
9.1
|
26-35
|
38
|
28.8
|
36-45
|
45
|
34.1
|
>45
|
37
|
28.0
|
Gender
|
Male
|
132
|
100.0
|
Ethnicity
|
Ewe
|
106
|
80.3
|
Akan
|
14
|
10.6
|
Northerner
|
12
|
9.1
|
Religion
|
Christian
|
117
|
88.6
|
Muslim
|
15
|
11.4
|
Marital status
|
Single
|
35
|
26.5
|
Married
|
91
|
68.9
|
Widowed
|
6
|
4.5
|
Educational Level
|
JHS
|
24
|
18.2
|
SHS / Voc / Tech
|
77
|
58.3
|
Tertiary
|
22
|
16.7
|
None
|
9
|
6.8
|
Income / month
|
<ghȼ100
|
18
|
13.6
|
ghȼ100-500
|
62
|
47.0
|
ghȼ600-1000
|
29
|
22.0
|
>ghȼ1000
|
23
|
17.4
|
Commercial Driving Experience (years)
|
<1
|
4
|
3.0
|
1 – 3
|
8
|
6.1
|
4 – 6
|
19
|
14.4
|
7 – 10
|
19
|
14.4
|
>10
|
82
|
62.1
|
Working Hours/Day
|
<3
|
17
|
12.9
|
4 – 6
|
62
|
47.0
|
7 – 10
|
29
|
22.0
|
>10
|
24
|
18.2
|
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage.
Prevalence Of Energy Drink Consumption
The results of the prevalence of energy drink consumption among the participants were in two categories. Those that have ever consumed energy drink before as well as those that are currently consuming the drink as demonstrated in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively.
Number Of Drivers Who Have Ever Consumed Energy Drinks
Most of the participants 113 (85.6%) had ever consumed energy drinks as shown in Fig. 2 below.
Number Of Drivers Who Currently Consumed Energy Drinks
Out of the 113 drivers who had consumed energy drinks before, 99 currently consume the drinks. The number who currently took energy drinks expressed as a percentage of the total number of respondents surveyed (132) gave the prevalence of consumption. This implies that the prevalence of energy drink consumption among commercial bus drivers in the Ho main transport terminal is 75%. Figure 3 illustrates the prevalence of energy drink consumption.
Reasons For Consuming Energy Drinks
The study results showed that there is a myriad of reasons or motivations for consuming energy drinks among drivers. The main reasons for which respondents were currently consuming energy drinks are seen in Fig. 4 below. It was found that most of the drivers (78.8%) consumed energy drinks to enhance driving performance. Thus, to stay awake while driving (41.4%), to reduce fatigue (17.2%), for an energy boost (17.2%) as well as for mental enhancement (3.0%) as seen in Fig. 5. Also, to quench thirst (10.1%), its pleasant taste (7.1%) and for sexual enhancement (4.0%) were some of the other reasons for which the drivers consumed energy drinks.
Intending to enhance driving performance, the drivers consumed energy drinks to boost energy, enhance mental performance, reduce fatigue and stay awake while driving. Figure 5 below illustrates the aspects of driving performance the drivers sought to enhance.
Reasons For Not Consuming Energy Drinks
The participants who have either stopped consuming or have never consumed energy drinks also had their reasons for not consuming. Predominant among these reasons was that they were just not interested (72.7%). Also, 27.3% of the drivers were not consuming energy drinks because they were of the view that the drinks are not healthy choices. Table 3 below shows the various reasons for which drivers have stopped consuming or have never consumed energy drinks.
Table 3
Reasons for Not Consuming Energy Drinks Among Drivers
Parameter | Frequency | Percent |
| Just not interested | 24 | 72.7 |
ED not healthy | 9 | 27.3 |
Total | 33 | 100.0 |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage. |
ED = Energy drink |
A Pattern Of Energy Drink Consumption
Initial Introduction of Drivers to Energy Drinks
An investigation to ascertain the prevailing mode of introduction to energy drinks revealed that advertisement was the highest mode of drivers’ introduction. While 50 (44.2%) were first introduced through advertisement, 35 (31.0%) and 28 (24.8%) were introduced through sales at stores or by family and friends respectively. The results are shown in Table 4 below.
Table 4
Mode of Introduction to Energy Drinks Among Participants
Parameter | Frequency | Percent |
| Advertisement | 50 | 44.2 |
Store / Hawkers | 28 | 24.8 |
Family / Friends | 35 | 31.0 |
Total | 113 | 100.0 |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage. |
Main Brand Of Energy Drink Consumed By Drivers
Rush was identified to be the most consumed energy drink (54.5%) while the Red bull was the least consumed (2.0%). Aside from that, Storm, 5-Star and Lucozade were also commonly consumed by the drivers.
Time Of Day Energy Drink Is Consumed Among Drivers
The results revealed that over four out of ten (42.4%) consumed energy drinks in the afternoon, followed by 26.3% consuming at any time of the day. Aside from that, the drinks were also consumed in the morning either as the first food of the day (6.1%) or after breakfast (4.0%). Figure 7 shows the common times in the day during which energy drinks are taken among drivers.
Frequency Of Energy Drink Consumption Among Drivers
Almost 30% of the drivers were daily consumers of energy drinks at the time of the study. Among the remaining, 32 (32.3%) consumed the drinks less than 3 days in a week, 15 (15.2%) for 5–6 days in a week and 23 (23.2%) for 3–4 days in a week. Figure 8 below displays the frequency of energy drinks consumption among drivers.
Number of Bottles / Cans of Energy Drinks Consumed in A Week by Drivers
Figure 9 below shows that the majority of the drivers (32.3%) consumed 7–10 bottles of energy drinks in a week. Also, 14.1%, 24.3%, and 15.2% consumed 5–6, 3–4 and less than 3 bottles respectively in a week. 14.1% also consumed more than 10 bottles in a week.
Relationship Between Age And Energy Drink Consumption
Results displayed in Table 5 below show that there was no significant association between age and energy drink intake according to the Chi-square test of association (Likelihood ratio Chi-square test). More than 80% of drivers of each age group consumed energy drinks. Across the various age groups, there was no significant difference in the likelihood to consume energy drinks.
Table 5
Association Between Age and ED Consumption
Parameter | Age |
| 18–25 | 26–35 | 36–45 | > 45 | Total | p- value |
Presently Consume ED | Yes | 9 (100) | 30 (93.8) | 32 (80.0) | 28 (87.5) | 99 (87.6) | 0.135 |
| No | 0 | 2 (6.20) | 8 (20.0) | 4 (12.5) | 14 (12.4) |
Total | | 9 (100) | 32 (100) | 40 (100) | 32 (100) | 113 (100) |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage (likelihood ratio Chi-square test). |
ED = Energy drink |
Relationship Between Years of Commercial Driving Experience and Energy Drink Consumption
Table 6 below revealed that energy drink consumption among drivers did not depend on years of commercial driving experience according to the Chi-square test of association (Likelihood ratio Chi-square test). There was no significant difference between energy drink consumers across the various years of commercial driving experience.
Table 6
Association Between Years of Commercial Driving Experience and ED Consumption
Parameter | Commercial Driving Experience (years) |
< 1 | 1–3 | 4–6 | 7–10 | > 10 | Total | P - value |
Presently Consume ED | Yes | 2 (100) | 7 (100) | 11 (73.3) | 17 (100) | 62 (86.1) | 99 (87.6) | 0.055 |
| No | 0 | 0 | 4 (26.7) | 0 | 10 (13.9) | 14 (12.4) |
Total | 2 (100) | 7 (100) | 15 (100) | 17 (100) | 72 (100) | 113 (100) |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage (likelihood ratio Chi-square test). |
ED = Energy drink |
Relationship Between Educational Level And Energy Drink Consumption
Table 7 below illustrates that there was a statistically significant association between the educational level of drivers and energy drink consumption according to the Chi-square test of association (Likelihood ratio Chi-square test). It was observed that a higher percentage of drivers consumed energy drinks as the educational level declined. The educational level, however, had a very weak effect on energy drink consumption according to Cramer’s V.
Table 7
Association Between Educational Level and ED Consumption
Parameter | Educational Level |
| SHS / Voc / Tech | Tertiary | JHS | None | Total | p-value | Cramer’s V |
Presently Consume ED | Yes | 57 (90.5) | 9 (52.9) | 24 (100) | 9 (100) | 99 (87.6) | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 |
| No | 6 (9.5) | 8 (47.1) | 0 | 0 | 14 (12.4) |
Total | 63 (100) | 17 (100) | 24 (100) | 9 (100) | 113 (100) |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage (likelihood ratio Chi-square test) |
ED = Energy drink |
Relationship Between Work Hours Per Day and Time of Day Energy Drink is Consumed
Findings from the study showed that the time of day the drivers consume energy drinks was related to the number of hours they work per day. It was observed that drivers who work for less than 3 hours were more likely to drink energy drinks as their first food of the day whereas those who work more than 10 hours a day were more likely to consume the drink any time of the day. Most of those who work for 4–6 and 7–10 hours took energy drinks in the afternoon. The relationship is however very weak according to Cramer’s V. This is illustrated in Table 8 below.
Table 8
Association Between Work Hours and Time of Day Energy Drink Is Consumed
Parameter | Working Hours / Day |
Time of ED Consumption | < 3 | 4–6 | 7–10 | > 10 | Total | p- value | Cramer’s V |
1st Food of Day | 4 (40.0) | 0 | 0 | 2 (7.4) | 6 (6.1) | 0.001 | < 0.0001 |
Morning After Breakfast | 0 | 4 (8.7) | 0 | 0 | 4 (4.0) | | |
Afternoon | 4 (40.0) | 20 (43.50) | 10 (63.5) | 8 (29.6) | 42 (42.4) | | |
Evening After Supper | 2 (20.0) | 8 (17.40) | 4 (25.0) | 7 (25.9) | 21 (21.0) | | |
Any time of Day | 0 | 14 (30.4) | 2 (12.5) | 10 (37.0) | 26 (26.3) | | |
Total | 10 (100) | 46 (100) | 16 (100) | 27 (100) | 99 (100) | | |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage (likelihood ratio Chi-square test) |
ED = Energy drink |
Relationship Between Income and Number of Bottles / Cans of Energy Drinks Consumed
Table 9 below shows that the number of bottles/cans of energy drinks a driver consumes per week is influenced by the income earned. It was, however, a very weak influence according to Cramer's V. The number of bottles consumed was more likely to increase as the income increased. Drivers who earn less than Ghȼ 100 were more likely to consume 5–6 bottles in a week whereas Ghȼ 100–500, Ghȼ 600–1000 and > Ghȼ 1000 earners were more likely to consume 7–10 bottles in a week.
Table 9
Association Between Drivers’ Income and Number of Bottles / Cans of Energy Drinks Consumed
Parameter | Income |
Bottles / Week | <Ghȼ100 | Ghȼ 100–500 | Ghȼ 600–1000 | >Ghȼ 1000 | Total | p-value | Cramer’s V |
< 3 Bottles / Week | 0 | 11 (21.2) | 1 (5.6) | 3 (18.8) | 15 (15.2) | 0.008 | 0.015 |
3–4 Bottles / Week | 4 (30.8) | 13 (25.0) | 5 (27.8) | 2 (12.5) | 24 (24.2) | | |
5–6 Bottles / Week | 5 (38.5) | 7 (13.5) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (6.2) | 14 (14.1) | | |
7–10 Bottles / Week | 2 (15.4) | 14 (26.9) | 11 (61.1) | 5 (31.2) | 32 (32.3) | | |
> 10 Bottles / Week | 2 (15.4) | 7 (13.5) | 0 | 5 (31.2) | 14 (14.1) | | |
Total | 13 (100) | 52 (100) | 18 (100) | 16 (100) | 99 (100) | | |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage (likelihood ratio Chi-square test) |
ED = Energy drink, ghȼ = Ghana cedis |
Response To Whether Intended Benefits Are Derived
Almost nine out of ten (88.9%) of the respondents who consumed energy drinks responded in affirmative when asked if they got the intended benefits or desired results after consuming the energy drinks. However, 11.1% reported not attaining their intended results. Seen in Table 10 below are the responses to the satisfaction question.
Table 10
Respondents’ Responses to Getting Desired Results.
Parameter | Frequency | Percent |
Get Desired Results | Yes | 88 | 88.9 |
| No | 11 | 11.1 |
Total | 99 | 100 |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage. |
4.7 General Knowledge On Energy Drinks
The level of knowledge of the drivers on the ingredients as well as potential side / adverse health effects of these drinks is illustrated in Fig. 10. Over 60% of the respondents had poor knowledge level, 12.9% had a good knowledge level and 23.5% had an excellent knowledge level.
4.7a Knowledge on Side Effects Linked with Energy Drink Consumption
Over 7 out of 10 respondents had poor knowledge and 12.9% had excellent knowledge of the side effects linked with energy drink intake. This is demonstrated in Fig. 11 below.
4.7b Relationship Between Knowledge on Side Effects and Consumption of Energy Drinks
Table 11 below indicates that there is no statistically significant association between drivers' level of knowledge on side effects linked with energy drink intake and the consumption of these drinks. More than 80% of the drivers that fell under each of the knowledge categories consumed energy drinks. Irrespective of the difference in knowledge levels, there was no difference in the likelihood to consume energy drinks.
Table 11
Association Between Knowledge on Side Effects and Energy Drink Consumption
Parameter | Knowledge of Side Effects |
Poor (< 60%) | Good (60–79%) | Excellent (≥ 80%) | Total | p-value |
Presently Consume ED | Yes | 68 (87.2) | 16 (88.9) | 15 (88.2) | 99 (87.60) | 0.977 |
| No | 10 (12.8) | 2 (11.1) | 2 (11.8) | 14 (12.4) | |
Total | 78 (100) | 18 (100) | 17 (100) | 113 (100) | |
Data presented as frequency and corresponding percentage (likelihood ratio Chi-square test) |
ED = Energy drink |