Of Dutch courage and mobile chimneys: Pattern and predictors of alcohol and tobacco use among university students in Nigeria

Abstract

Previous studies in Nigeria have associated alcohol and tobacco use among students with certain socioeconomic and educational achievement variables, albeit its determinants among university students remain largely unknown. This study examined current patterns and predictors of alcohol and tobacco use with a model involving socio-demographic factors among 708 undergraduate students. Participants included 280 males and 428 females; mean age was 21.4±4.4. The students were assessed with a questionnaire including living arrangement, satisfaction with course of study, current alcohol and tobacco use and parental educational levels. Overall, the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use was 24.0% and 5.5% respectively. Inter-correlation of discrete variables with Cramer’s V showed: gender (φ_c =.23, p<.000); level of study (φ_c =.16 p<.01); father education φ_c =.11, p<.02); satisfaction with course of study (φ_c =.11, p<.01); having sex in the last three months (Cramer, =.26, p<.000) were associated with alcohol use. Gender  (φ_c =.20, p<.000); polygamous family structure (φ_c =-.074, p<.06); satisfaction with course of study (φ_c =.09 p<.04); having sex in the last three months (φ =.11, p<.005 and mothers higher education (φ_c =.12, p<.004) were associated with tobacco use. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed two variables: male gender (OR= 2.93; 95% CI = 1.95 – 4.42), level of study (OR= 0.82; 95% CI = 0.67-0.98), ethnicity (OR= 0.76; 95% CI = 0.62-0.92) satisfaction with course of study (OR= 0.65; 95% CI = 0.43-0.97), father education (OR= 1.5; 95% CI = 1.10.-2.06) and having sex 3 months prior survey (OR= 2.96; 95% CI = 1.93 – 4.54) significantly predicted alcohol use. Similarly male gender (OR= 7.71; 95% CI = 3.27 – 18.1), polygamous family structure (OR= 0.40; 95% CI = 0.97 – 0.92), satisfaction with course of study (OR= 0.54; 95% CI = 0.29 – 0.99) and increased mother education (OR= 3.33; 95% CI = 1.76 – 5.92) significantly predicted tobacco use. These data underscore the role of gender, sexual activity and mother’s educational level in drug use among Nigerian students. It also highlights the need for continuous drug education.

Keywords: Alcohol use, tobacco use, university students, Nigeria