An Examination of the Factors Influencing Alcohol Abuse Among Undergraduates in Nigeria (Case Study of the University of Benin)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Alcohol usage has a long history in Nigeria, especially among populations where it is not prohibited by religion. It is frequently drunk during rites, marriage ceremonies, burials, and funerals (Akindutire, & Adegboyega, 2012). Palm wine and hot liquids are especially utilized at such times for pouring libations, giving prayers, and proclaiming such occurrences. Palm wine–fermented from the sap of the oil palm tree, beer, burukutu–fermented from guinea-corn, and local gin–distilled from palm wine–are among the most regularly consumed alcoholic drinks. Akindutire & Adegboyega, (2012) stated that In 2014, Nigerians used 28.3 litres of pure alcohol per capita (15+) among male and female consumers. This does not include the massive amounts of homemade alcohol drank, which are often unreported.

According to Daramola,(2004), alcohol is the most often consumed psychoactive drug, and its usage continues to be a major public health problem. Alcohol usage is a risk factor for more than 60 illnesses and injuries, including noncommunicable diseases. Furthermore, problematic alcohol usage has been linked to mental and behavioral issues. Awoyinfa, (2012) noted that alcohol use was reported to be the seventh leading risk factor for disability and premature mortality, as well as the leading risk factor for risk-attributable disease burden, in the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study among people aged 15 to 49 years (Essien, 2010). An estimated 2.8 million fatalities (320 deaths per hour) were documented globally as a consequence of hazardous alcohol usage. Alcohol usage is related with an extra 1.6 and 6.0 percent of Disability-adjusted Life Years in females and men, respectively (Fatoye, 1998).

Undergraduates alcohol use is a serious public health issue in many high, medium, and low income nations across the world. According to the World Health Organization’s Regional Report on Alcohol in 2014, 34.1 percent of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were currently drinking alcohol globally; 69.5 percent, 52.7 percent, 37.3 percent, and 29.3 percent in Europe, America, the Western Pacific Region, and Africa, respectively (Wechsler, 1995).

While low to moderate alcoholic beverage use may not damage the consumer, high and uncontrolled drinking, particularly among young people, predisposes drinkers to a variety of health problems. Alcohol abuse is a substantial risk factor for illness, disability, and mortality all over the globe, ranking as one of the top five risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. Alcohol, for example, has been demonstrated to significantly reduce testosterone levels and sperm counts. Similarly, research with pregnant rats revealed that palm wine is teratogenic.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Every country relies on university students, and their well-being and health are critical to national progress. Alcohol consumption, particularly when excessive and uncontrolled, is a significant danger to students’ academic performance and future prospects. Because this may be avoided or at least mitigated, it is important to investigate the scope of these issues among students at universities and other post secondary institutions. As previously noted, several research on alcohol usage among student populations in Nigeria and elsewhere have been done but it seems little is being done to execute the results. Continuous and excessive usage has been associated to low academic performance and school dropout among kids (Ukwayi et al., 2013; Wechsler, 1995). In Sub-Saharan Africa, alcohol is a primary cause of sickness and death among college students (Hingson et al., 2005). Several studies have shown very high rates of alcohol use and abuse among Nigerian students in secondary and postsecondary schools (Yakasai, 2010). According to several of these research, alcohol usage starts in infancy or early adolescence and there are factors influencing this excessive use of alcohol. This study seeks to examine these factors.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this topic is to examine the factors influencing alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria. Other objectives of this study are:

i.          The influence of mental Health on alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria

ii.        The influence of medication on alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria

iii.      The influence of stress on alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria

iv.      The influence of peer pressure on alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria

v.        The influence of trauma on alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria

 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i.          Does mental health influence the abuse of alcohol in Nigeria?

ii.        Does medication health influence the abuse of alcohol in Nigeria?

iii.      Does stress health influence the abuse of alcohol in Nigeria?

iv.      Does peer pressure influence the abuse of alcohol in Nigeria?

v.        Does trauma influence the abuse of alcohol in Nigeria?

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be beneficial Universities administration and educators as the findings of this study will show the different factors influencing alcohol abuse among undergraduates and effect measures that will tackle this. It will also be beneficial to undergraduates as they will be able to see what causes alcohol abuse and try to refrain from it.

Finally, this study will be of great benefit to scholars as it will serve as an existing material for further studies and future reference.

 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will be focusing on the examination of the factors influencing alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria. Undergraduates of University of Benin will serve as enrolled participants for this study.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to the examination of the factors influencing alcohol abuse among undergraduates in Nigeria. Undergraduates of University of Benin will serve as enrolled participants for this study and this will serve as a limitation for this study as the results of this study cannot be used any where else until further studies is carried out.

Financial constraints were also considered during the course of this research.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Factors: a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result.

Alcohol: a colourless volatile flammable liquid which is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars and is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel.