The prevalence of cognitive enhancers' usage among health college students and the factors associated with its use.

Abstract

Cognitive enhancers (CEs) are increasingly prevalent among university students, particularly in healthcare fields, with significant implications for academic performance and student wellbeing. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and effects of CE usage among undergraduate healthcare students at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. A sample from six different health care colleges with a total of 611 participants was taken, and all of them completed a self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, CE usage patterns, reasons for use, and perceived effects. 432 (70.7%) utilized cognitive enhancers, and 179 (29.3%) did not. The respondents were 322 (52.7%) from male and 289 (47.3%) from female. Female students were found to consume CI 2.6 times more compared to their male students (<i>P</i> = 0.0003). Also, students in the clinical year used CE more frequently (third year 80.8%, fourth year 73.7%, and fifth year 82.2%) than students in the preclinical year (<i>P</i> = 0.0001). Moreover, students in the 22-25 age group use significantly more CE (OR = 3.6; p=<0.0001) than students in other age groups. Students at the college of medicine use more CE (OR = 2.73; p=<0.0001) as followed with nursing (OR = 2.1; <i>P</i> = 0.004), dentistry (OR = 1.92; <i>P</i> = 0.003), and applied medical sciences (OR = 1.7; P = 0.007). Furthermore, there is a significant association between coffee and cognitive functioning among students (OR = 2.6; <i>P</i> = 0.005). High-achieving students are more likely to use CI (p=<0.001). In conclusion, CIs were used by the majority of university students. The females, high achievers, and senior students significantly use CI.