A survey of energy drinks consumption amongst medical students and foundation year doctors in Malta

Objectives: To explore the consumption patterns of energy drinks and associated factors, amongst medical students and foundation year doctors in Malta. Methods: Data was collected from medical students and foundation year doctors from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, by means of an electronically administered cross-sectional, self-reported survey. The response rate was 42% (n=305). IBM SPSS 23 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Energy drinks consumption amongst the sample was 68.2% (n= 208). Most participants (60.1%) started consuming energy drinks between 16-20 years, followed by those between 11-15 years (34.6%). Males are more likely to consume energy drinks than females. Participants who consume energy drinks are more likely to also drink coffee (85.1%), alcohol (88.0%) and smoke tobacco (18.3%). Common reasons for drinking energy drinks were for mixing with alcohol (37.5%) and during studying/major projects (30.8%). The majority of the participants (52.1%) experience psychological side effects due to energy drinks, the most common being stimulating/hyperactivity (42.6%), followed by anxiety (14.8%). Over half of the participants (54.8%) claimed to suffer from physical side effects Conclusions: Energy drink consumption is common amongst this population and certain aspects of consumption are a cause for concern. Greater public education of the risks of these drinks is recommended especially to young age groups. Legislation may be required to control the marketing and sales and accessibility of these drinks.peer-reviewe

A national snapshot of substance misuse among child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients in Malta

This paper reports on a patient record survey that was undertaken with the central aim of establishing reliable, baseline information to inform strategic planning and organisation of future CAMHS in Malta. The records of the total population of children and adolescents admitted into the psychiatric hospital over a five year period were surveyed. Results showed that the characteristics and circumstances of children and adolescents with mental disorder and comorbid substance misuse in Malta are similar to those described in international studies. The survey emphasized the pressing need for further research into this sub group and also highlighted gaps in reliable data systems locally.peer-reviewe

The occurrence of coastal swarms of the Scyphomedusa, Pelagia Noctiluca (Forskiil) around the Maltese Islands

The author wishes to acknowledge the contribution of the Maritime Section of the Task Force, Malta in the collection of data.Data on the occurrence of coastal swarms by Pelagia noctiluca around the Maltese Islands for January, February and March 1984 is presented, together with details of the characteristics of such swarms and relevant environmental parameters. The small average size of the component individuals indicates that they are representatives of recent spawning. It is suggested that such swarms reached the islands from the NW sector.peer-reviewe

A NATIONAL SNAPSHOT OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE AMONG CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS IN MALTA

This paper reports on a patient record survey that was undertaken with the central aim of establishing reliable, baseline information to inform strategic planning and organisation of future CAMHS in Malta. The records of the total population of children and adolescents admitted into the psychatric hospital over a five year period were surveyed. Results showed that the characteristics and circumstances of children and adolescents with mental disorder and comorbid substance misuse in Malta are similar to those described in international studies. The survey emphasised the pressing need for further research into this sub group and also highlighted gaps in reliable data systems locally

The Ghadira Reserve : physico-chemical characteristics of the pool

The Ghadira Reserve is the largest saline marshland in the Maltese Islands. It is a protected bird sanctuary and a review of its development may be found in Sultana (1990) and a more detailed description of the area is given in Borg et al. (1990) This paper will present data on the physico-chemical parameters in the waters of this marsh as recorded from four fixed stations over a period of one year (May 1985 - April 1986). The purpose of this investigation was to provide information to the ecological study of the Ghadira pool (Borg et al., 1989) and thus to contribute towards the basic environmental information which is essential for the correct management of such reserved areas. The present Ghadira marsh complex consists of a central pool with a number of small artificial 'islands' (Figure 1). The pool is surrounded by a embankment and a ditch to limit public access to the area. Furthermore, the ditch was designed to collect rainwater and drain it into a freshwater reservoir constructed on the west side of the pool at the farthest side from the sea. This reservoir was to supply the central pool with enough water throughout the year and thereby to prevent its drying up during the summer months (Axell, 1980). The Ghadira marsh complex is separated from the sea (Mellieha Bay) by a road and a narrow sandy beach which together are approximately 100m wide.peer-reviewe