Caffeine and Its Perceived Effect on Tertiary Students Reading and Comprehension Tendency

Abstract

This study examined the use of caffeine and its effects on reading and comprehension tendency of the students of University of Benin, The main objective of the study was to unravel the perceived effects of caffeine use on student’s academics. The study adopted the survey design. The population comprised of four thousand (4000) students in 300 level students of the faculty of education, University of Benin. Five hundred (500) students were used for the study. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire. The face and content validity was done by the researchers and two other experts in measurement and evaluation in the University. The Cronbach alpha was used to test for the reliability of the instrument. The reliability index gave an alpha value of 0.84 which is an acceptable reliability. The questionnaire were distributed by the researcher assisted by four research assistants. Data collected were analyzed using percentage and ranking. The findings therefore revealed that, though caffeine helps to improve the students’ academics, its side effect on the students’ health is enormous. Laziness was identified as the major side effects, sleep disorder/ insomnia, anxiety and increase in heart beats were also identified as other side effects. It was concluded that though intake of caffeine by students enhances their reading and comprehension tendency, the side effects on them are enormous. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that sensitization programmes should be made available for all and sundry especially in all the tertiary institution across the nation in other to educate all about the negative effects of unregulated intake of caffeine. And also that effort should be made by the government to ensure factories and companies producing caffeinated drinks and substance are monitored and regulated.