Alcohol use disorders and its association with family factors among undergraduates of obafemi awolowo university, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Alcohol is a socially acceptable substance that plays a key traditional role in the African setting. Family factors such as dysfunctional family background may increase the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) among university students. Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of AUD and its association with family factors among undergraduates of a Nigerian university. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey involved 360 consenting undergraduates recruited from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Demographic variables were obtained with a questionnaire, whereas AUD was measured with AUD Identification Test. Family factors assessed were family structure, family socioeconomic status, family functioning, parenting styles and perceived social support (PSS). Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.12 years (standard deviation = 2.37) and 223 (61.9%) were males. The prevalence of AUD was 16.7%. Factors significantly associated with AUD were demographic variables – being male (P < 0.001) and traditional religion (P = 0.024) and family factors – low socioeconomic class (P = 0.023), dysfunctional family (P < 0.001) and father use of alcohol (P = 0.001). Respondents with AUD reported significantly lower mean score on all the PSS subscales: family (P = 0.001), friend (P < 0.001) and significant other (P < 0.001) and authoritative parenting style of father (P < 0.001) and mother (P < 0.001). Predictors of AUD were male sex, father use of alcohol, father authoritative parenting style and high PSS from friends. Conclusion: AUD is prevalent among Nigerian undergraduates with male sex and some family factors associated with it. The results of this study have significant implications for both primary and secondary prevention efforts.