Harmful use of alcohol among Nigerian undergraduates: the influence of alcohol-risk perception, religiosity and gender

Abstract

This study investigated the role of alcohol risk perception, religiosity and gender in harmful use of alcohol using a sample of Nigeria undergraduates. The study participants comprised of 501 undergraduate students (340 males and 161 females) between the age of 18 and 27 years, with the mean age of 23.14 years. Participants completed a measure of the augmented CAGE questionnaire, alcohol-risk perception scale, and the religiosity scale. Linear regression showed that males are more likely to abuse alcohol than females (β= -.17; t = -3.47; P < .01). Also, alcohol-risk perception significantly predicted alcohol abuse (β= .14; t = 2.74; P < .01). However, religiosity did not significantly predict alcohol abuse. Results, implications of findings, and suggestions for further research were discussed.

Keywords: Harmful use of alcohol, Alcohol-Risk perception, Religiosity, Gender, Nigeria