Prevalence, Pattern and Correlates of Underage Alcohol Drinking among Secondary School Students in Orlu, Imo State

Abstract

Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances among young people. Early initiation of alcohol drinking has been linked to an  increase in mortality, morbidity, and the risk of developing alcohol use disorder later in life. As a result, underage drinking has been regarded as one of  the leading public health issues globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and socio-demographic correlates of alcohol drinking  among secondary school students in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 240 secondary school students, selected through a multistage sampling technique. Socio-  demographic data and pattern of alcohol consumption was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS  version 21.

Results: The lifetime, 12-month, and 30-days prevalence of underage alcohol drinking was 67.9%, 59.6%, and 55.8%, respectively. Twenty-nine (12.1%) of  the respondents had engaged in binge drinking. In the past 12 months, 60 (42%) of the respondents drank alcohol less than once a month. Alcohol  drinking was associated with being male (p=0.001), older age (p=0.001), having an unemployed caregiver (p=0.04), parental alcohol drinking (p=0.001)  and intimate partner drinking (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Underage alcohol drinking is common among students in Orlu, Imo State. We recommend educating students and their caregivers on the  growing problems of alcohol consumption.