Intellectual and physical performance-enhancing product use by postsecondary students
Background. Use of performance-enhancing drugs by young adults is a growing concern in public health, particularly for academic and sport organizations, postsecondary institutions and health authorities. Methods. A sample of 469 students between 18 and 24 years of age completed a survey on use of alcohol, tobacco and doping products and motivations for these practices. Multiple logistic regressions have been used to study associations between use of these products and socio-economic and academic variables. Results. Three quarters of students had consumed at least one doping product in the last year, other that alcohol, to improve physical or intellectual performance. This includes cannabis (25,0%), energy drinks (38,0%), protein and creatine supplements (22,0 %) and caffeine pills (13,0%). Findings demonstrate that students participating in league sports are more likely to consume alcohol and cannabis than students not in a league sport. Associations exist between ethnolinguistic group and use of alcohol, caffeine pills, energy drinks, as well as alcohol and energy drink mixes and alcohol and drug mixes. Most common motivations for use of these products are to reduce stress and stay awake. Conclusion. Prevention strategies are needed, targeting students according to ethnolinguistic origins, as practices differ among the diverse student populations in Canadian universities.