The Influence of Excessive Intake of Alcohol Among University Students
Chapter One
Purpose of the study
The following purposes were made:
- To find out whether excessive intake of alcohol is responsible for deviant behaviours amongst students
- To ascertain whether alcoholic is responsible for student’s poor academic performances
- To ascertain whether intake of alcohol influenced by home problem
- To find whether alcohol is influenced by peer group loyalty
- To find out whether alcohol is responsible for student’s improved state of mind
- To find out whether excessive intake of alcohol by students induced by the desire to eliminate fear
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
introduction
Among adolescents, alcohol is the most widely used and abused drug in the world today. Awoyinfa (2012) investigated the incidence of alcohol use and abuse among University of Lagos female students. The study indicated a significant relationship between female students’ use and abuse of alcohol and their social relationship, as well as a significant relationship between female students’ use and abuse of alcohol and their morals. The study however revealed that no significant relationship between use and abuse of alcohol and female student academic performance. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (1994) noted that alcohol is responsible for 41% of academic problems and 28% of all dropouts in schools. In a similar view, Powell et al., (2004) believed academic problems and alcohol use are highly related. Wolaver (2002) opined that drinking has both a direct effect on grade point average and an indirect effect because it leads to a decrease in study hours. Williams et al., (2003) reported that the main effect of alcohol consumption is manifested in the reduced number of hours spent studying. Wechsler (1995) was of the opinion that poor academic performance among college students is associated with alcohol consumption. Alcohol abuse has several consequences such as students failing tests, being absent in class, dropping out of school due to do poor grades. Alcohol abuse undermines the academic mission of colleges and universities. As a result, campuses may face declining retention rates, increased expenses due to vandalism, and a diminished reputation. Presley et al., (1996) reported that alcohol affects many parts of the brain, but the most vulnerable cells are those associated with memory, coordination, and judgment. They argued that alcohol has several physiological and psychological effects, which inhibit students’ performance as cognitive abilities are affected by even small amounts of alcohol and can persist for a substantial period of time after the acute effects of alcohol impairment disappear. In addition to cognitive impairments, consumption of alcohol and the resulting recovery period (i.e., hang-over) wastes time that might be better spent studying or having fun. Mettille (2008) clearly stated that negative consequences of dangerous drinking are likely to affect students disproportionately. The health consequences a student may experience as a result of dangerous drinking have an expected range, from manageable situations to potentially fatal outcomes. Researchers according to Mettille identified negative health consequences to include hangovers, unprotected sexual behaviour, alcohol dependence, blackouts, assault and even death. The health consequences alone are jarring enough to garner the attention of campus administrators, and students themselves. According to Lindsay (2006) dangerous drinking can lead to driving under the influence which is approximated to happen 2.1 million times annually, or about 25% of all reported cases of drunk driving. They alleged that female students who drink are at an increased risk of being victims of date rape, unwanted sex, harassment and physical assault. Further, the more an individual drinks, especially in a public forum, the more likely he or she is to be victims of violence. All students who consume alcohol at dangerous levels are at risk of a variety of consequences. Graham et al., (2006) alleged that the time and stress spent dealing with any legal impacts of college student drinking is time and energy not spent on academic inquiries. Yet, the negative impact of dangerous drinking extends beyond those who are consuming the alcohol themselves, as researchers have found a variety of “second-hand” effects of alcohol use. Second-hand alcohol effects can be defined as situations or scenarios that impact other people who have not been drinking, such as loud noise, vandalism, among others. Oteyo and Kariuki (2009) reported that the prevalence of alcohol use has caused the concern that the students may not reach their full potential and may be at high risk to abuse drugs later in life. The toxic effects of alcohol and cigarettes may cause short term and long term health damage on students. Students, who use drugs, are likely to perform poorly in school, have strained relationship with their parents and teachers and engage in delinquent behaviors. The review of literature makes it clear that students who engage in dangerous drinking and who takes alcohol as a hobby put themselves at risk for a wide variety of negative consequences which include cognitive disorder, missing class, failing tests, dropping out due to do poor grades and in all perform badly in examinations thereby undermining the motives or dreams of a university education.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine the influence of excessive intake of alcohol among University students.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
- Primary source and
- Secondary source
- Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in gathering information relevant to the influence of excessive intake of alcohol among University students. Two hundred (200) students of Uniben, Benin was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA
One hundred and sixty (160) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and forty (133) were returned. This figure was the sample size. Out of the one hundred and thirty-three, only one hundred and twenty (120) were properly responded to. As a result, the researcher used one hundred and twenty for this study when more than 50% of the respondents agree to the questions, the answer is taken as valid for the purpose of this study. In analyzing the data, the approach that will be adopted is to find out the percentage and positive and negative answers to the question posed.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the influence of excessive intake of alcohol among University student. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenge of the influence of excessive intake of alcohol among University student
Summary
This study was on the influence of excessive intake of alcohol among University student. Six objectives were raised which included: To find out whether excessive intake of alcohol is responsible for deviant behaviours amongst students, to ascertain whether alcoholic is responsible for student’s poor academic performances, to ascertain whether intake of alcohol influenced by home problem, to find whether alcohol is influenced by peer group loyalty, to find out whether alcohol is responsible for student’s improved state of mind and to find out whether excessive intake of alcohol by students induced by the desire to eliminate fear. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 students of University of Benin. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made final year students, year 4 students, year 3 students and year 2 students were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The results of this study indicated a high prevalence of alcohol abuse among the University of Benin students. There was correlation between alcohol abuse and the level of alcohol consumption. With regard to push factors, there was strong association between alcohol abuse and push factors. The analysis also showed that the academic performance by the student is negatively affected by high alcohol consumption. Majority of respondents indicated that they did not care whether the University of Benin campus regulations change to be alcohol free followed by those who disagreed. Respondents have experienced or knew someone who had experienced various negative consequences of the influence of alcohol. In general, the analysis points out that alcohol use and abuse among the learners are common and this could be due to the diverse cultural background that exists on campus. There is a need for further review of regulations on alcohol use on campus. Despite the efforts made by the government to reduce the use of alcohol, the findings still show that a lot of students still take alcohol. Based on the research findings, there is a need for the government to make more recreational facilities and to develop policy framework for addressing alcohol abuse. There is also a need for shift in emphasis from mere provision of information about the effects of alcohol use and abuse to ways of influencing positive behavioral change among university students. It might be effective to sponsor more musicians to sing songs aimed at exposing the dangers of alcohol. The campaign should also target young children even those at primary schools. There should be also supported services for those who abuse alcohol. The support services could be guidance and counseling and mentoring the targeted individuals.
Recommendation
However, in order to reduce this phenomenon and improve students’ performance in tertiary institutions, students should be counseled daily on the need to give up with binge drinking, as well as take alcohol lightly while in school.
References
- Adebiyi, A. O., Faseru, B., Sangowawa, A. O. and Owoaje, E. T. (2010) Tobacco Use amongst Out of School Adolescents in a Local Government Area in Nigeria. Retrieved from: http://www.substanceabusepolicy.com/content/5/1/24
- Adeyemo, D. A. (2007) Interpersonal Factors as Correlates of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Adolescents in Oyo State, Nigeria. Anthropologist, 9(4): 321 – 326.
- Awoyinfa, J. O. (2012) An Investigation into the Incidence of Alcohol Usage and Abuse among Female Student of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies (JETERAPS), 3 (2): 174 – 178.
- Graham, E., Kratochvil, C., Vitiello, B., Silva, S., Mayes, T., McNulty, S., Weller, E., Waslick, B., Casat, C., Walkup, J., Pathak, S., Rohde, P., Posner, K., March, J., and Columbia Suicidality Classification
- Group; TADS Team. (2006) Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS): Safety Results. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 45, 1440–1455.
- Lindsay, V. (2006) Factors that Predict Freshmen College Students’ Preference to Drink Alcohol. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 50, 7-19.
- Mettille, T. T. (2008) Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Alcohol Awareness Messages: College Student Reactions. A thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master of Science
