Prevalence and Use of Dietary Supplements Among Pharmacy Students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose

Dietary supplements (DSs) are popular in many countries, and their use among individuals is increasing worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and use of DSs among pharmacy students in King Saud University College of Pharmacy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design targeting male senior pharmacy students in their fourth and fifth years of Bachelor and Doctor of Pharmacy courses. The data were collected between August and October 2019 using paper-based questionnaires.

Results

A total of 46.8% of the students used DSs. Of all students surveyed, 19% used branded supplements whereas 9.7% used generic or local supplements and 12.3% used both generic and branded supplements. Furthermore, 8.2% students suffered from side effects, including 5.6% who suffered from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and 2.6% who suffered from headache, confusion, and disorientation. Approximately 24.6% of students used fiber DSs whereas 19% and 16.4% used DSs for protein and glucosamine/omega 3 fatty acids, respectively.

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that the prevalence of DS use is increasing. However, approximately half of the respondents encourage the use of DSs only with a doctor’s recommendation. Educating about the safe use of DSs is warranted.

Keywords:

• dietary supplements
• performance boosters
• pharmacy students
• minerals
• vitamins
• Saudi university

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding the work through the research group project No. RG-1441-073. In addition, the authors thank the Deanship of Scientific Research and RSSU at King Saud University for their technical support.

Author Contributions

All authors of this study made substantial contributions to the conception and design, acquisition, or analysis of research data and data interpretation; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by DSR (Deanship of Scientific Research) at King Saud University through the research group project No. (RG-1441-073).