Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: May | Volume: 8 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 180-185
A Study on Attitude and Practice Regarding the Consumption of Carbonated Drinks among Students in Selected Colleges of Mangalore
Ms. Sandra Johny1, Ms. Meenu K. M1, Ms. Reena D’Silva C. J1, Ms. Sanetra Locita D’Costa,
Mrs Priya Janifer Fernandes2, Mrs Lejomol Abraham2
1Former UG students (IV B.Sc(n)), Father Muller College of Nursing
2Assistant Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, Father Muller College of Nursing.
2Lecturer, Department of Psychiatric nursing, Father Muller College of Nursing
Corresponding Author: Mrs Priya Janifer Fernandes
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Young children are often influenced by media and often do things under its influence. The consumption of carbonated drinks in youngsters is increasing in alarming proportions. They are often not aware of the health hazards of the excess consumption. (1) Many academic studies have shown that there is nothing healthy about carbonated soft drinks or soda. (2) Scientific studies have shown that one or two soft drinks a day can increase one’s risk for numerous health problems. Some of these health problems are obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, osteoporosis, nutritional deficiencies, sleep disturbance and many neurological disorders. (3)
Objectives of the study
- To assess the attitude regarding consumption of carbonated drinks among students.
- To identify the practice regarding consumption of carbonated drinks among students.
- To find the association of attitude of students regarding consumption of carbonated drinks with selected baseline variables.
Methodology: A non experimental descriptive survey design was adopted for the present study. The study was conducted in the Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangalore. The sample consisted of 100 nursing students selected by purposive sampling technique. An attitude scale and a practice questionnaire were used to collect data. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The major findings of the study revealed the following
- The majority (81%) of the students had a neutral attitude, 18% had favourable attitude and very few (1%) had an unfavourable attitude regarding the consumption of carbonated drinks.
- The majority (52%) of students preferred to drink sprite and 66% of students consume it monthly. The 47% students consume less than 200 ml of carbonated drinks at a time and for majority of students (65%), taste was the influence for choice of drink, most preferred flavour was orange, 47% of students preferred to drink these drinks while travelling and majority of the students (69%) consume these drinks with friends.
- There was a significant association of attitude of students on carbonated drinks consumption with selected baseline variables such as year of study (p=0.014) and source of information regarding carbonated drinks (p=0.036).
Conclusion: The results show that majority have neutral attitude and they consume it monthly. So the health education and primordial prevention would be the best way to adopt healthy lifestyle and combat problem associated with the consumption of carbonated drinks.
Key words: carbonated drinks, soft drinks, health problems, Mangalore.