ABSTRACT
This study attempted to analyze the influence of excessive intake of
alcohol on University of Benin students. The survey research design was
used to carry out the study, and the random sampling technique was used
to select students from the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences.
Two hundred and forty-eight (248) respondents were randomly selected
from the mentioned faculties. Questionnaire was used to elicit
responses from respondents. The validity of the questionnaire was
carried out by three lecturers from the department. The reliability of
the instrument was determined using the test-retest method.
The instrument was administered to thirty-two respondents who were
not part of the final study, and after an internal of few days the same
instrument was again administered on the same group of respondents. The
scores obtained were analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation
coefficient. The data obtained through questionnaire were analyzed
using frequency counts and simple percentages.
Findings from the analysis indicated that:
- Majority of students take alcohol.
- Excessive intake of alcohol can be responsible for student’s poor academic performance.
- Some students take alcohol because of home problems.
- Most students that take alcohol agree to taking it because of their friends are taking it.
- Some students agree to taking alcohol when they are depressed believing that alcohol will improve their state of mind.
- Students take alcohol to eliminate fear.
Conclusively, emphasis should be laid on the accessibility of
alcohol. Adolescents are sensitive to price increases as they generally
have limited incomes. If the price of alcohol is increased students
will not be able to afford it. Parents should demonstrate sensible
drinking behaviours, and parents should be enlightened on the effects
and consequences of alcohol intake so they can also encourage their
children on the dangers of alcohol. Campaign
against excessive intake of alcohol should be planned and carried out
by the authorities. Intervention strategies should be developed for
alcohol-related infractions on the campus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification
ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract vii
Table of Contents ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 7
Research Questions 8
Purpose of the Study 8
Significance of the Study 9
Delimitation/Scope of the Study 9
Limitation of the Study 10
Definition of Terms 10
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Theories of Alcohol Abuse 11
Alcohol and Deviant Behaviour 16
Alcohol and Student’s Poor Academic Performance 20
Alcohol and Home Problem 23
Peer Group Influence on Alcohol 27
Effects of Alcohol on the State of Mind 31
Summary 36
CHAPTER THREE: METHOD OF THIS STUDY
Research Design 39
Population of the Study 39
Sample and Sampling Techniques 39
Instrumentation 40
Validity of the Instrument 40
Reliability of the Instrument 40
Administration of the Instrument 40
Method of Data Collection 41
Data Analysis 42
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION
AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 43
Discussion of Results 54
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary 65
Findings and Conclusion 67
Recommendations 69
References 75
Appendix 1 81
Appendix 2 84
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect. People
have been brewing and fermenting alcoholic drinks since the dawn of
civilization. Consumed in moderate amount, alcoholic beverages are
relaxing and in some cases may even have beneficial effects in heart,
health, consumed in excess alcohol is poisonous to human systems and is
considered a drug.
When people take (drink) alcohol, it is absorbed into their
bloodstream. It affects the central nervous system (the brain and
spinal cord), which controls virtually all body functions. The
immediate physical effects of drinking alcohol range from mild mood
changes to complete los of co-ordination, vision, balance and speech,
any which can be signals of acute alcohol intoxication or drunkenness.
These effects usually wear-off in a matter of hours after a person stops
drinking (American Journal of Addiction, 2003).
The word ‘alcohol’ probably has its origin in Arabic meaning ‘a fine dust’ or ‘essence’. There are four main types of alcohol:
METHYL ALCOHOL – CH3 OH
ETHYL ALCOHOL – C2 H5 OH
PROPHL ALCOHOL – C3 H7 OH
BUTYL ALCOHOL – C4 H9 OH
ETHYL Alcohol is the one that is the spirit in intoxicating drinks,
and its concentration ranges from 4 to 59%. Alcohol has very valuable
antiseptic properties, and when used outside the body is very useful
chemical (A guide to family health, 1983).
An alcohol beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as
alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes:
Beers, Wines and Spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries,
and over one hundred countries have laws regulating their production,
sale and consumption. In particular, such laws specify the minimum age
at which a person may legally buy or drink them. This minimum age
varies between sixteen and twenty-five years, depending upon the country
and the type of drink. Most nations set it at eighteen years of age
(International Center for Alcohol Policies. Retrieved 2009: Minimum
age limit worldwide). The production and consumption of alcohol occurs
in most cultures of the world, from hunter-gatherer peoples to
nation-states (Arnold, 2005). Alcoholic beverages are often an
important part of social events in this cultures (European Beer Guide,
2006).
According to WHO (2012), in many parts of the world, drinking
alcoholic beverages is a common feature of social gatherings.
Nevertheless, the consumption of alcohol carries a risk of adverse
health and social consequences related to its intoxicating, toxic and
dependence – producing properties. In addition to the chronic diseases
that may develop in those who drink large amounts of alcohol over a
number of years, alcohol U.K. is also associated with an increased risk
of acute health conditions such as injuries, including from traffic
accidents.
There is a general believe that alcohol performs a number of services
that have become almost indispensible to modern society and living. In
as much as alcohol is a reliable means for social integration, as well
as symbol of social solidarity and also lubricant for social intercourse
during which it provides the much needed atmosphere for the exchange of
ideas, information and discussion of politics, the ills or detriment of
excessive alcohol intake cannot be ignored or overlooked.
Historically doctors have promoted alcohol for its perceived health
benefits and most recently for protection against coronary heart
disease. There is evidence of cardiovascular benefits from drinking one
to two drinks per day; however, the health benefits from moderate
intake of alcohol are controversial. Alcohol should be regarded as a
recreational drug with potentially serious adverse effects on health and
it is not recommended for cardio-protection in the place of safer and
proven traditional methods such as exercise and proper nutrition
(Sunkiewic & Welglarz, 2009). Larger amounts of blood alcohol can
impair brain function
and eventually cause unconsciousness. An extreme overdose of alcohol
poisoning can be fatal. Alcohol taken in excess can depress brain
activities to the point where memory muscular co-ordination and balance
can be disturbed hence the reason for concern as regards this situation
amongst students with emphasis on University of Benin students.
Purposeful production of alcoholic beverages is common in many
cultures and often reflects their cultural and religious peculiarities
as much as their geographical and sociological conditions. The
discovery of late Stone Age beer jugs has established the fact that
purposely fermented beverages existed at least as early as C. 10,000
B.C. (Patrick, 1952).
Alcohol is used by certain persons for several reasons, based on
several factors. Its use is related to factors ranging from emotional,
social, religious, physical, to psychological. Some of the reasons why
people take alcohol therefore includes:
- To quench thirst
- To promote sleep
- To spice up social gathering
- To improve appetite
- To kill anxiety
- Influence from other people
- To relieve pains
Other reasons such as curiosity or wanting to be part of the group.
Some drink because it makes them feel better or older or because it
gives them certain image among friends. Some people need to be drunk
everyday just to get through the day, because they are dependent on
alcohol.
But in this study our focus is on male and female students of the University of Benin.
Statement of the Problem
It is interesting to know that excessive intake of alcohol is
detrimental to the health and wellbeing of an individual, and students
who are supposed to be enlightened still indulge in drinking alcohol
excessively. This brings to mind the need to know why this is so, hence
the reason for this research. The consequences and effects of
excessive alcohol intake is too high and this the researcher hopes to
find out in this study.
Research Questions
- Is excessive intake of alcohol responsible for deviant behaviours amongst students?
- Is alcohol responsible for student’s poor academic performances?
- Is the intake of alcohol influenced by home problem?
- Do alcohol influenced by peer group loyalty?
- Is alcohol responsible for student’s improved state of mind?
- Is the excessive intake of alcohol by students induced by the desire to eliminate fear?
Purpose of the Study
The major aim for this study is to find out the influence of
excessive intake of alcohol and its consequences on the health and
wellbeing of the students of UNIBEN. To point out the effects of
excessive intake of alcohol on the students, and how it affects them
academically, physically and otherwise.
Significance of the Study
The study centers on the effects, consequences and factors
influencing excessive intake of alcohol amongst UNIBEN students while
still in school or on campus. To enable us discover these reasons and
effects so that they can be addressed and dealt with to avoid the hazard
or disadvantages it brings to students and the educational system as a
whole, due to the fact that alcohol affects the brain and performance of
students.
Delimitation/Scope of the Study
This study was delimited to the male and female students of the
Faculty of Education and Social Science, University of Benin, Benin
City.
Limitation of the Study
Difficulty in getting current or recent materials related to this
study. Students nonchalant attitude and biased response while sharing
and collecting the questionnaire.
Definition of Terms
Alcohol: According to new Oxford Advanced
Learners Dictionary, it is the clear liquid that is found in drinks such
as beer, wine, etc. and is used in medicines, clearing products, etc.
Alcoholics: A person who regularly drinks too much alcohol or suffers from a physical disorder caused by this.
Ferment: To experience a clinical
change because of the action of yeast, or bacteria, often changing
sugar to alcohol; to make something change in this way. Sugar is
converted with alcohol by a process of fermentation.