Prevalence of the combined use of Caffeine with other Substances among Undergraduate Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Anambra State. Nigeria.

Caffeine use with other substances is a growing concern among university students worldwide, with potential negative effects on their physical and mental health. Students no longer consume caffeine alone but combine caffeine with various other substances like alcohol, energy drinks, carbonated drinks, and many others for various reasons. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the combined use of caffeine use with other substances among students in four different faculties of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 students from four faculties, namely, Health Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, and Architecture. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-squared test. The overall prevalence of caffeine use with other substances was 48.8%. Students in the Health Sciences faculty had the highest prevalence rate (21.3%), followed by those in the Law faculty (9.9%), the Pharmacy faculty (9.3%), and the Architecture faculty (8.3%). Significant differences were found in the prevalence rates among the four faculties (p < 0.001). This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address caffeine use in conjunction with other substances among university students. The findings also suggest that students in health-related fields may be at higher risk of substance use and may require specialized support services.