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

Abstract

Background and aim: The use of dietary supplements (DS) and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is increasing every year. The COVID-19 pandemic might additionally influence the use of such preparations. The study aimed to investigate factors influencing the use of dietary supplements (DS), including stress-relieving supplements, by the students. Methods: In the cross-sectional study, 624 students of the Wroclaw Medical University in Poland, from the second to the last year of studies, completed the anonymous questionnaire, consisting of 22 items, about the use of DS/OTC drugs during the academic year 2020/2021. Obtained data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test, the U-Mann Whitney test, the Kruskal–Wallis test with the post-hoc analysis, and with logistic regression. Results: About 70% of students declared the use of any DS, 33% used DS for stress, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems, and 59% used other DS. The most important factors influencing the decision to take any kind of DS were Division (p = 0.0001, odds ratio [OR]: 0.35, and confidence interval [CI]: 0.21–0.59), a self-estimated level of stress (p = 0.014, OR: 1.13, CI: 1.03–1.25), and self-estimated level of knowledge about DS (p = 0.0000, OR: 1.31, CI: 1.19–1.36). In the case of students taking DS for stress, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems, the level of stress and the declared knowledge had the greatest impact on the decision for such a use of DS (p = 0.0001, OD: 1.24, CI: 1.11–1.39 and p = 0.0000, OD: 1.35, CI: 1.22–1.5, respectively). The COVID-19 pandemic did not change the pattern of DS/OTC drug usage in about 33% of students. Those who started taking DS during the pandemic accounted for 19% of all students. Conclusions: The use of DS is common among Wroclaw Medical University students with some differences between subgroups of respondents. Additionally, despite declared good knowledge about DS, most students declare the need to learn more about them.

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

“…However, it is worth mentioning that we ask not only about psychostimulants or non-medical use of drugs but also about readily available dietary supplements. Our observations of the use of CEs during the COVID-19 time was similar to the overall tendency we found in our earlier study [ 12 ] about the use of dietary supplements for stress, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems among student at Wroclaw Medical University. Most students did not change the pattern of DS use or took them less often, but 18% took this kind of DS more often, 19% started to take them during the pandemic and about 11% took more different kinds of DS.…”

“…Different studies have shown that in the pre-exam period, the consumption of CEs increased, as well as the intake of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol [ 10 , 11 ]. As we also reported in our other study [ 12 ], Medical and Dentistry students estimated their stress levels as high (67.5% and 75.5%, respectively).…”

“…It is impossible to avoid stress in everyday life, and pressure is necessary to create survival responses, but it may also affect cognitive functions and cause different behavioral disorders [ 52 ]. In our other survey among students at Wroclaw Medical University, over 70% of respondents declared a high or very high stress level [ 12 ], resulting in the use of different dietary supplements advertised as suitable for stress, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems. It is well known that such factors as stress may impair cognitive function and negatively affect the student’s performance during the examination, as was found in a group of first-year medical students in India [ 53 ].…”

Dietary Supplement Use and Associated Factors Among Adults Working in Urban Settings in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

“… 10 - 13 These proportions are higher among people with non-communicable diseases, the elderly, women, and university students. 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 The increase in dietary supplement use can influence consumers to abandon conventional diets and medically approved treatments, thus leading to adverse reactions. Dietary supplement use is of public health concern because excessive, inappropriate, or unsupervised consumption can lead to adverse reactions and ailments.…”