Publications

Alcohol consumption poses a significant public health concern, especially amonguniversity students who often experience newfound independence from direct parentaloversight. This study aimed to identify the factors driving alcohol consumption amongKampala International University's Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery students. Employing adescriptive cross-sectional approach and self-administered questionnaires, data collectionfocused on alcohol-consuming students via snowball sampling. Statistical Package forSocial Sciences (SPSS) software facilitated data analysis. Of the 384 participating studentswho consumed alcohol, nearly half (47.7%) fell within the 20-24 age range, evenlyrepresenting both genders. Notably, no substantial correlations emerged between alcoholuse and age, gender, religion, or academic year. A majority of students initiated alcoholconsumption at 16 years or older (41.4%). Significant associations were found betweenalcohol consumption and upbringing, as well as university residence. Urban upbringing andoff-campus residency correlated with higher alcohol consumption. Psychologically, familystructure played a role, with 59.4% of participants living with both parents reportingalcohol consumption. Peer influence was prevalent, with a substantial number introducedto alcohol by friends, either at university (32%) or at home (35.2%). While 97.7% recognizedalcohol as a mood-altering stimulant, only 29.1% acknowledged the link between youngadult binge drinking and future alcoholism development. Merely 12.5% believed that earlyalcohol exposure increased the risk of dependence, yet 93.5% recognized its associationwith academic underperformance or dropout. Alcohol abuse among university studentsappears normative, shaped by family norms and peer pressure. Supervision by family anduniversity staff, coupled with educational interventions highlighting the health risks andconsequences of excessive alcohol consumption, stand as effective measures to addressthis societal issue.