Consumption pattern among the youth in Tamale.

Energy drinks (EDs) have become a popular choice for young people seeking physical and cognitive boosts, with ingredients such as caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins aimed at improving academic, athletic, and alertness levels. However, the popularity of these drinks is also driven by low prices, taste, brand loyalty, and gendered marketing, with boys being more likely to consume them. Despite the supposed benefits, EDs have been associated with high-risk behaviours, deaths, and adverse health effects, especially those related to cardiovascular risk. Meanwhile, in Ghana, the use of EDs is on the rise. Hence, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and consumption patterns, perceptions, and factors associated with ED consumption among the youth of the Tamale Metropolis. The study was cross-sectional, consisting of 541 participants. The group consisted of 340 males and 201 females, between the ages of 15 and 45. A questionnaire was utilized to obtain data on the respondents’ consumption patterns and perceptions of EDs, as well as their socio-demographic characteristics. The results of the study indicated that a large percentage of the respondents, 98.7%, had consumed EDs before, while 78.7% currently consume them. Respondents believed that EDs provided additional energy (81.00%) and reduced stress (62.30%). However, they also perceived side effects such as insomnia (60.60%) and restlessness (51.40%). Also, the highest proportion of respondents (83.4%) had poor knowledge of EDs. They were unaware of the classification of EDs and their ingredients, side effects, and benefits. Age, marital status, level of education, work intensity, EDs served at gatherings, and knowledge of EDs was significantly associated with ED consumption (p

能量饮料（Energy Drinks, EDs）已成为追求身体与认知机能提升的年轻人的热门选择，其添加的咖啡因、牛磺酸与B族维生素等成分旨在改善学业表现、运动能力与警觉性水平。然而，这类饮料的流行亦受到低价、口感、品牌忠诚度以及性别化营销的推动，其中男性群体的消费概率更高。尽管能量饮料宣称具备上述益处，但现有研究已将其与高危行为、死亡事件及不良健康影响相关联，尤其是与心血管风险相关的健康问题。与此同时，加纳国内的能量饮料使用量正呈上升趋势。因此，本研究旨在探讨塔马利都会区青年群体中能量饮料的流行率、消费模式、认知观念以及与消费行为相关的影响因素。本研究为横断面研究，共纳入541名参与者，其中男性340名、女性201名，年龄介于15至45岁之间。研究采用问卷调查法收集受访者的能量饮料消费模式、认知观念以及社会人口学特征相关数据。研究结果显示，高达98.7%的受访者曾饮用过能量饮料，其中78.7%目前仍有消费行为。受访者普遍认为能量饮料可提供额外能量（81.00%）并缓解压力（62.30%），但同时也察觉到其存在失眠（60.60%）与躁动不安（51.40%）等副作用。此外，83.4%的受访者对能量饮料认知不足，并不了解能量饮料的分类标准、成分组成、副作用与益处。年龄、婚姻状况、受教育程度、工作强度、聚会场合提供的能量饮料以及对能量饮料的认知水平均与能量饮料消费行为显著相关（p