Knowledge and Perception of Alcohol Abuse as a Risk Factor of Non-Communicable Diseases among Undergraduate Students in Lead City University

Abstract

Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a transition from a preponderance of infectious to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Many of the behaviour’s that produce these risks often commence in late adolescence. The study assessed knowledge and perception of alcohol abuse as a risk factor for NCDs among undergraduate students in Lead City University Ibadan, Oyo state.

This was a cross-sectional study using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using the semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and were entered and analysed using SPSS version 21. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics such as frequency tables and percentages, and a Chi-square test at p <0.05 were used to determine the level of association between two different variables.

Of 216 undergraduates, 132 (61.1%) were male and 103 (47.7%) were aged 26 years and above; the mean age was 22.4 (+/-8.437) years; 139 (64.4%) were singles. Only 69.9% of the respondents were current drink containing alcohol with 84.4 % classified as having excess alcohol use. Moreover, 79.6% were classified as having good knowledge toward NCDs. The most prominent influence sources of alcohol intake reported by the students were friends. it was revealed in this study that knowledge of alcohol as a risk factor for NCDs was found to be statistically significant with perception of alcohol abuse of the respondents. These findings highlight the need of developing school-based health awareness and promotion programs in Lead city University. The findings of this study will serve as the baseline data to develop new programs and to evaluate existing programs (if any), as limited data are available related to the implementation of NCDs prevention efforts in Lead city University.