Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cognitive enhancers (CEs) are increasingly prevalent among university students, particularly in healthcare fields, with significant implications for academic performance and student wellbeing. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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 (P = 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 (P = 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; P = 0.004), dentistry (OR = 1.92; P = 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; P = 0.005). High-achieving students are more likely to use CI (p=<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, CIs were used by the majority of university students. The females, high achievers, and senior students significantly use CI.