Patterns of Alcohol Use amongst Undergraduate Students at a Health Sciences University, South Africa
Author(s): Hendry van der Heevert* and Rosemary Thuli Hlengiwe Mthabela
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use among university students is a common aspect of student extramural activities outside the lecturing setting on campus. The increasing use of alcohol during these periods relates to harmful dis- orders and predicts substance related problems in later life.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence and factors of alcohol use among the undergraduate students at Sefako Mak- gatho Health Sciences University, South Africa.
Methodology: A quantitative design was used to collect data through a self-administered questionnaire from 377 undergraduate students in dif- ferent study professions at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa.
Results: The findings indicate that student’s alcohol use is moderate to heavy with a Spearman coefficient pattern indicating strong correlations between worries and stress, alcohol taste and feeling good as motives for alcohol use.
Conclusion: Lack of knowledge about alcohol use, as well as absence of specific policies on alcohol use depict a concerning gap in efforts to com- bat alcohol use among undergraduate students