Pattern and Impact of Tea Consumption on Academic Performance of Medical Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study was conducted to explore the pattern of tea consumption among medical students and to determine the association between tea consumption and academic performance of medical students.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at HITEC-IMS, Taxila from January to June,2020.
Material and Methods: One hundred & twenty five students from 1st Year to 4th Year MBBS were invited to participate in this study through convenience sampling. Structured proforma was used to collect data after informed consent. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for continuous variables like age. Frequencies were calculated for categorical variables like year of study, no of tea cups consumed per day. Chi square test was applied to determine existence of association between different variables and p value was
taken significant at < 0.05.
Results: Response rate was 92% among total of 1116 participants. The mean age of participants was 21.1 Years (SD=1.34). 98.2 % (n=114) respondents were tea consumers. Dhood patti (tea with more milk) was the preferred type of tea (n=55, 47.4%). Change in tea consumption during examination was reported by 56.9% (n=66) students. 45 (38.7%) students reported to have one cup tea daily, whereas 51 (44.7%) were having 2-3 cups daily. 42(36.2%) students thought consuming tea increased their academic performance. Seven (6%) said that their performance decreased by tea consumption while 67(57.8%) students said that tea had no impact on their academic performance. However, statistically insignificant association was found to exist between tea consumption and academic performance among medical students.
Conclusion: Tea is extensively used among medical students to increase alertness, vigilance and to cope stressful academic schedules and assessments with an intension to perform better. However, its use was not associated with better academic performance. Students must be educated regarding harmful effects of excessive use of tea and its safe alternatives like decaffeinated tea.