Abstract

AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE RISK OF CONSUMING ALCOHOL AMONGST STUDENTS OF RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY

*Gbaranor K. B., Barinua-Gbaranor N. P., Okpara E. P., Victor P. D., Nmehielle I., Amadi C. N., Gabriel-Brisibe C. U. and Ohaka J. C.

Abstract

Alcohol is a substance that is well known to people living in both urban and rural areas across the globe. This substance is mostly use in different occasions such as welcoming guests and in celebrations. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of awareness and attitude towards the risk of consuming alcohol amongst students of Rivers State University. The study was a cross-sectional study involving 52 students (14 male and 36 female) with ages less than 18 years and greater than 18 years. Each questionnaire was distributed to each student to filed and return and the study lasted for 4 weeks. The study shows that 67.3% of the students took alcohol and 32.7% of the students do not take alcohol and 85.1% have taking alcohol for a period less than 5 years while 14.9% of the students have taken alcohol for a period greater than 5 years. Also, the study revealed that the reasons for which students consumed alcohol are: boosting moral confidence -1, peer group – 11, stress – 6, family – 7 and psychological – 2. The study revealed that 37.1% of the students bought alcohol and 62.9% do not buy it themselves. 91.8% of the students have been enlightened and 8.2% of the students have not been enlighten and 22 of the students were enlightened by the school management, 13 by the family, 2 by peers and 13 by NGO.

Keywords: Awareness, attitude, risk, students, alcohol.