Psychosocial correlates of hazardous alcohol use among undergraduates in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between alcohol use and psychological well-being among undergraduates of a Nigerian tertiary institution. The objectives included determining the prevalence and pattern of problematic alcohol use and ascertaining the associatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:General hospital psychiatry 2013-05, Vol.35 (3), p.320-324
Main Authors: Abayomi, Olukayode, M.B.B.S., F.W.A.C.P, Onifade, Peter O., M.B.B.S., F.M.C.Psych, Adelufosi, Adegoke O., M.B.B.S., F.W.A.C.P, Akinhanmi, Akinwande O., M.B.Ch.B, F.W.A.C.P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictive behaviors
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Age Distribution
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcoholism
Alcoholism - epidemiology
Alcoholism - psychology
Binge Drinking - epidemiology
Binge Drinking - psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Educational Status
Female
Hazardous alcohol use
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Nigeria
Nigeria - epidemiology
Prevalence
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Sex Distribution
Stress, Psychological - epidemiology
Stress, Psychological - psychology
Students
Students - psychology
Students - statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
Universities
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between alcohol use and psychological well-being among undergraduates of a Nigerian tertiary institution. The objectives included determining the prevalence and pattern of problematic alcohol use and ascertaining the association between alcohol use and some sociodemographic variables. Method The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to evaluate for alcohol-related problems in 443 students of a university in southwestern Nigeria. A questionnaire was also used to obtain data on sociodemographic variables while psychological well-being was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire-28. Results The prevalence of alcohol use was 40.6% while alcohol-related problems were found in 14.9% of the students using the AUDIT questionnaire with a cutoff score of 5. Heavy episodic alcohol use was reported by 31.1% while alcohol-related injury had occurred in 8.9% of the students. Male gender ( χ2 = 4.54; P < .05), older age ( χ2 = 3.92; P < .05) and higher paternal education ( χ2 = 4.40; P < .05) were associated with problem drinking. In addition, psychological distress was significantly associated with heavy episodic drinking ( χ2 = 9.58; P < .05) and history of alcohol-related injury ( χ2 = 3.96; P < .05). Conclusion The significant relationship between hazardous drinking and mental ill health among undergraduates in the institution suggests the need for integrating mental health services in screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment services in Nigerian university settings.
ISSN:0163-8343
1873-7714
DOI:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.11.014