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-value was used to determine statistically significant associations.
Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Commercial Bus Drivers
The socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants are presented in Table 1. 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.
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 Figures 1 and 2 respectively.
Number of Drivers Who Currently Consumed Energy Drinks
Most of the participants 113 (85.6%) had ever consumed energy drinks as shown in Figure 1.
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 2 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 Figure 3. 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 Figure 3. 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.
Figure 4 illustrates the aspects of driving performance the drivers sought to enhance. Intending to enhance driving performance, the drivers consumed energy drinks to stay awake, boost energy, enhance mental performance, and reduce fatigue while driving.
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 (Figure 10).
Time of Day Energy Drink Is Consumed among Drivers
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 5 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 6 displays the frequency of energy drinks consumption among drivers.
Number of Bottles / Cans of Energy Drinks Consumed in a Week by Drivers
Figure 7 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.
Energy drink consumption was differentiated across the various age groups, educational levels and years of commercial driving experience. Results showed that, 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. As the educational level declined, the number of drivers that consume energy drinks also reduced. There was also no significant difference between the numbers of energy drink consumers across the various years of commercial driving experience.
Working Hours per Day and Time of Day Energy Drink is consumed
Findings from the study showed 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 and consumed energy drinks in the afternoon (Table 3).
Income and Number of Bottles / Cans of Energy Drinks Consumed
Table 4 shows that the number of bottles/cans of energy drinks a driver consumes per week 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.
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 Figure 11 are the responses to the satisfaction question.
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 Figure 8. Over 60% of the respondents had poor general knowledge level, 12.9% had a good general knowledge level and 23.5% had an excellent general knowledge level.
Over 7 out of 10 respondents had poor knowledge and 12.9 % had excellent knowledge on the side effects linked with energy drink intake (Figure 9).
Relationship between Knowledge on Side Effects and Consumption of Energy Drinks
Table 2 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.