Assessing prevalence, knowledge and use of cognitive enhancers among university students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study

Abstract

Background Cognitive enhancers (CE) are often used to improve memory, alertness and cognitive capacity. These products are commercially and pharmaceutically available. Due to high academic pressure, university students are at risk of CE misuse. However, data regarding this issue are limited, especially in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Aims To assess the prevalence of CE intake; evaluate students’ knowledge of these substances; and identify student characteristics associated with CE usage. Method A cross sectional study based on a validated online survey that was distributed using university-licensed software (Qualtrics) as a direct web link via email and social media to all Medical, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing and Engineering students enrolled in six UAE universities. Associations between student characteristics and CE use were investigated using the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression. Reasons for CE use, temporal patterns of use, details regarding purchase and types of CE used were compared by gender. Results One quarter of students had used CEs. There was a clear difference between users and non-users in terms of gender (p<0.001). CE users were disproportionately represented by students from either UAE or other Arab countries (p<0.001), and by students of Medicine, followed by Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Engineering (p<0.001). CE use increased with year of study, reaching the highest level in the fourth year (p<0.001), which for most programmes is the final year. Modafinil was self-administered, especially in males, for concentration and alertness; B12 was typically taken by female students for academic performance and concentration; and high-dosage caffeine compounds were ingested to improve alertness levels. Use of the internet for both obtaining information and purchasing CEs was frequently reported. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that gender, nationality, and year of study were associated with CE use among UAE university students. Conclusions Universities need to address the prevalence of CE use amongst their students by providing effective support programs.

Exploring the understanding, source of availability and level of access of cognitive enhancers among university students in the United Arab Emirates: A qualitative study

“…Therefore, it is intended to fill a gap in the literature about this phenomenon. Our findings are broadly consistent with a quantitative survey of university/course students which reported that one quarter had used CEs (Sharif et al., 2022).…”

“…Caffeinated products are defined as “soft enhancers,” whereas prescription drugs such as amphetamine salt, methylphenidate and modafinil, are considered as “neuroenhancers” (Maier et al., 2015). University students are at high risk of neuroenhancement usage (Maier et al., 2015; Sharif et al., 2021, 2022; Singh et al., 2014). As these substances may benefit cognitive functioning, they have been utilised by healthy individuals, including university students (Sharif et al., 2021) to improve concentration.…”

Do Medical Universities Students Use Cognitive Enhancers while Learning?—Conclusions from the Study in Poland

“…Sharif et al [ 30 ] found that students in the United Arab Emirates took the CEs mainly to increase academic performance, concentration, and alertness. Similar reasons were given by the Medical and Dentistry students in our survey, with the most common need to increase arousal, followed by improvement of concentration and study results.…”

“…Similar reasons were given by the Medical and Dentistry students in our survey, with the most common need to increase arousal, followed by improvement of concentration and study results. One other foremost reason almost 40% of participants mentioned was an improvement in memory, which was not a very important reason in the study of Sharif et al [ 30 ]. However, in the recently published survey among medical students in Portugal [ 31 ], almost 44% of respondents used pharmacological CEs, and nearly 35% used easily available substances to increase memory.…”

“…In the mentioned study by Sharif et al [ 30 ], about one-third of students took the CEs daily. We noticed a higher prevalence of daily use, reaching about 44%, which might result from the everyday use of caffeine.…”