Alcohol consumption as anticipator of academic performance among undergraduate students (A case study of Ondo State University of Science and Technology Okitipupa, Ondo State Nigeria)

Abstract

People are aware that academic performance means how well a student accomplishes his/her tasks and studies, but there are quite a number of factors that predict the level and quality of students’ academic performance. This study looked into alcohol use as predictor of academic performance in engineering among undergraduate students. A survey research design was used. A pilot study was carried out with 50 students to validate and determine the psychometric properties of the questionnaires used in the study. Total of 400 respondents, 228 males and 172 females with ages ranging between 13 and 25 years participated in the study. Three hypotheses formulated and tested using Pearson r, T-test, Anova, and simple regression analysis. The result revealed that there is a significant relationship between alcohol use and academic performance (poor) (R²=0.74, P<.05), there is a significant difference in academic performance of students that drink alcohol and those that do not (R²=12.22, P<.05), there is a significant effect of alcohol consumption on academic performance (R²=4.474, P<.05). The study concluded that alcohol use is a potent predictor of poor academic performance among undergraduate students. It is therefore recommended that perpetual awareness program on dangers inherent in alcohol use among undergraduate students be introduced quarterly across Campuses. Also, Self esteem training should be carried out periodically to get students acquitted that alcohol is not self esteem booster and a grave penalty be meted for those found wanting in order to serve as deterrent to others.

Key words: Alcohol, Consumption, Academic performance, Undergraduates.