Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding carbonated beverages among undergraduate students of a medical college in South Kerala

Introduction: Carbonated beverages, high in sugar and acidity, contribute to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and dental caries. In India, 12–15% of adolescents consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily, exacerbating the NCD burden, with 65 million diabetes cases reported in 2023. Medical students, as future health advocates, are a critical population for studying knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) to inform public health strategies. We assessed KAP regarding carbonated beverages among undergraduate medical students in South Kerala and examined sociodemographic influences on KAP. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 MBBS students at Dr Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam, Kerala (July–September 2024), using universal sampling. A validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s α=0.75–0.82) assessed KAP, with scores categorized using Bloom’s cut-offs (≥80% good/positive, 60–79% average/neutral, <60% poor/n). Multivariable logistic regression analysed associations with gender, residence, and marital status, adjusting for socioeconomic status (SES) and academic year. Results: Of the participants, 35.2% had good knowledge, 63.1% had positive attitudes, and 23.4% followed good practices towards consumption of carbonated beverages. Good knowledge was associated with female (adjusted odds ratios (aOR)=1.82, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.15–2.87, p=0.010) and urban residence (aOR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.02–2.06, p=0.038). Positive attitude towards consumption of carbonated beverages was associated with female gender (aOR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.09–2.55, p=0.018) and being unmarried (aOR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.23–3.65, p=0.007). Good practices showed no significant associations (p>0.05). Conclusion: Medical students showed positive attitudes but inadequate knowledge and practices regarding carbonated beverages. Sociodemographic factors influenced knowledge and attitude, indicating the need for targeted interventions to improve healthy beverage behaviours.