Knowledge and Patterns of Dietary Supplement Use among Students Attending King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Oral dietary supplements (DSs) include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy drinks, and herbal products. The use of DSs is increasing and their manufacturers promote their benefits. Studies have validated some of these benefits, but have also indicated that some DSs can have adverse effects, especially if used without the appropriate supervision. Little information on DS use among Saudis is available. This study assessed the use of dietary supplements among male and female university students with the goal of educating the community about DSs and the dangers associated with their misuse. Online and paper validated questionnaires were administered to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) students between September 2019 and January 2020. The responses were collected and analyzed statistically. Of the 954 KAU students who completed the survey, one-third used DSs (42.9% women vs 25.7% men). Of these, 51.7% believed that DSs are essential for health, 41.7% classified them as both food and drugs, 67.2% were aware that DSs could not replace a healthy diet, and 25.8% were aware of their potentially harmful effects. Multivitamins and minerals were the most used DSs. DS awareness among KAU students is limited. Additional health education is necessary to assist students in their selection of the most suitable DSs.

Factors That Influence the Use of Dietary Supplements among the Students of Wroclaw Medical University in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…These symptoms, however, are difficult to distinguish from symptoms of work overload, stress, or even depression [ 49 ]. A very similar profile of adverse effects of dietary supplements was reported by Samreen et al [ 41 ], Kobayashi et al [ 37 ], Jahan et al [ 40 ], and Alqrache et al [ 10 ]. It is worth mentioning that in choosing medical products available without prescription, almost 80% of pharmacy students consider safety as important in recommending the product to others and the third most important factor when they chose the OTC drug for themselves [ 47 ].…”

“…This is difficult to compare with other studies because many of them focus on the general use of dietary supplements rather than specifically on supplements for stress, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems; but in general, the trend is that women use DS more often [ 37 , 38 ]. Among the many reasons for taking the DS or OTC drugs reported by the students or young adults are relief of fatigue, focus enhancement [ 10 ], stress management, mental focus, concentration, improving the duration and quality of sleep [ 6 ], or memory enhancement [ 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…It depends on the major of the studies and may differ significantly. In some surveys, only 25% of students indicated that DS may be harmful to health [ 10 ], but in some others, about 87% were aware of some risk to health [ 41 ]. In the study by Bekele et al, almost 25% of participants rarely or never read the patient information leaflet, and over 20% rarely or never checked the expiry date even though they were medical or pharmacy students [ 18 ].…”

“…It is also important that about one-fourth of respondents were taking the DS for stress management and more than 10% to improve sleep [ 6 ]. In other countries, the main reasons to take different DS were similar, for example, to be healthy, to meet nutritional needs or correct deficiencies, to improve immunity, to reduce stress, to relieve fatigue, or to improve concentration [ 7 , 10 , 11 ]. During the pandemic, there was a significant increase in the use of vitamin C, vitamin D [ 9 , 12 ], and zinc-containing products.…”

Dietary supplements intake during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational Middle Eastern study

“…The questionnaire was designed after a thorough review of relevant studies [ 13 , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] ]. In addition, three experts in public health, pharmacy practice, and clinical nutrition research, other than the research team, reviewed the questionnaire for face and content validity.…”