**3. Results**

**Table 1** shows the descriptive statistics for positive response on alcohol consumption of the University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years. The prevalence of current regular alcohol use was significantly (p < 0.021) higher for males (61.9%) compared to females (47.8%). Students who first consumed alcohol at age of less than 15 years were 24.7% males and 8.8% females, the difference was


#### **Table 1.**

*Descriptive statistics for positive response on alcohol consumption of the University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years.*

**181**

**Table 2.**

*Alcohol Consumption Practice and Associated Risk Factors among University of Limpopo Students*

significant (P < 0.05). Many males (44.4% and 29.3%) in the current study significantly (P < 0.05) prefer beer and spirits compared to females (9.6% and 12.8%), respectively. Females preferred wine than males (29.2% and 24,9%) respectively. Though, the difference was not significant. The use of homemade alcohol was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for males (8.4%) compared to females (3.0%).

**Table 2** presents the prevalence of positive response on the frequency of drinking and reasons for drinking alcohol among University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years. A significantly high number of females (27.6%) drink alcohol fewer than 4 times in the past 30 days than males (21.6%). There was a significant (P < 0.05) number of males (13.4%) who drink alcohol regularly between the period of 07:30 and 16:00 2 to 3 days a week in the past month compared to females (7.4%). The prevalence of students who drink alcohol for popularity and bosting confidence is also higher in males (34.8% and 23.5%) than in females (1.8%, and 7.8%), respectively. The prevalence of tobacco and marijuana products use among relatives/friends who live with males students were significantly higher (ranges from 16.8 to 42.2%) compared to those who live with females students (prevalence ranges from 10.6 to 27.4%). **Table 3** shows the logistic regression (Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval and p-value) for the association of current regular alcohol drinking use and the associated risk factors for University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years. Tobacco and marijuana product use of relatives/friends living with students were

< than 4 times in 30 days 21.6\* (90) 27.6\* (138) 2 to 3 days a week in the past 30 days 11.8 (49) 6.8 (34) > than 4 days a week in the past 30 days 28.5\* (119) 13.4\* (67)

< than 4 times in the past 30 days 29.0 (121) 22.4 (112) 2 to 3 days a week in the past 30 days 13.4\* (56) 7.4\* (37) > than 4 days a week the past 30 days 7.2 (30) 4.0 (20)

I drink alcohol because I want to be popular 34.8\* (145) 1.8\* (9)

Does anyone you live with use tobacco product? 25.2\* (105) 14.2\* (71) Does anyone you live with smoke hubbly bubbly? 16.8\* (70) 11.4\* (57) Does anyone you live with smoke weed/marijuana? 22.8\* (95) 10.6\* (53) Does anyone you live with drink alcohol? 42.2\* (178) 27.4\* (137)

*Positive response on frequency of drinking and reasons for drinking alcohol among University of Limpopo* 

Number of days in the past month where you had a drink between 07:30 and 16:00

**Males Females % (n) % (n)**

6.7 (28) 6.6 (33)

23.5\* (99) 7.8\* (39)

18\* (75) 4.6\* (23)

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96349*

Rate of drinking alcohol regularly the past 30 days

I drink alcohol because it will enhance my creative

I drink alcohol because it helps me to face difficulties

I drink alcohol because it would ease me when I get

Tobacco and marijuana product use

Reasons for drinking alcohol

ability

blamed

*\*≥0.05; \*\*≥0.001.*

*students aged 17 to 43 years.*

with confidence

#### *Alcohol Consumption Practice and Associated Risk Factors among University of Limpopo Students DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96349*

significant (P < 0.05). Many males (44.4% and 29.3%) in the current study significantly (P < 0.05) prefer beer and spirits compared to females (9.6% and 12.8%), respectively. Females preferred wine than males (29.2% and 24,9%) respectively. Though, the difference was not significant. The use of homemade alcohol was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for males (8.4%) compared to females (3.0%).

**Table 2** presents the prevalence of positive response on the frequency of drinking and reasons for drinking alcohol among University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years. A significantly high number of females (27.6%) drink alcohol fewer than 4 times in the past 30 days than males (21.6%). There was a significant (P < 0.05) number of males (13.4%) who drink alcohol regularly between the period of 07:30 and 16:00 2 to 3 days a week in the past month compared to females (7.4%). The prevalence of students who drink alcohol for popularity and bosting confidence is also higher in males (34.8% and 23.5%) than in females (1.8%, and 7.8%), respectively. The prevalence of tobacco and marijuana products use among relatives/friends who live with males students were significantly higher (ranges from 16.8 to 42.2%) compared to those who live with females students (prevalence ranges from 10.6 to 27.4%).

**Table 3** shows the logistic regression (Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval and p-value) for the association of current regular alcohol drinking use and the associated risk factors for University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years. Tobacco and marijuana product use of relatives/friends living with students were


#### **Table 2.**

*Positive response on frequency of drinking and reasons for drinking alcohol among University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years.*

*Lifestyle and Epidemiology - The Double Burden of Poverty and Cardiovascular Diseases...*

**Table 1** shows the descriptive statistics for positive response on alcohol consumption of the University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years. The prevalence of current regular alcohol use was significantly (p < 0.021) higher for males (61.9%) compared to females (47.8%). Students who first consumed alcohol at age of less than 15 years were 24.7% males and 8.8% females, the difference was

Science and Agriculture 33.8 (141) 19.6 (98) Humanities 26.9 (112) 23.8 (119) Management and Law 17.0 (71) 13.0 (65) Health Sciences 22.3 (93) 43.6 (218)

Receiving funding from other bursaries 11.0 (46) 9.2 (46) Receiving funding from NSFAS 70.3 (293) 80.4 (402)

Lower level (First and Second year) 56.8 (237) 53.8 (269) Moderate high level (third-year level) 23.0 (96) 25.6 (128) High level (post graduate level) 20.1 (84) 20.6 (103)

Have you ever drunk alcohol? 74.3 (310) 62.8 (314)

Less than 15 years 31.4 (131) 14.2 (71) 15 to 19 years 35.7 (149) 40.0 (200) 20 years and above 7.2 (30) 8.6 (43)

Less than 15 years 24.7\* (103) 8.8\* (44) 15 to 19 years 30.0 (125) 30.8 (154) 20 years and above 7.2 (30) 8.2 (41)

Beer 44.4\* (185) 9.6\* (48) Cider 35 (146) 30.2 (151) Wine 24.9 (104) 29.2 (146) Spirit 29.3\* (122) 12.8\* (64) Home made 8.4\* (35) 3.0\* (15) Champagne 15.8 (66) 12.4 (62)

*Descriptive statistics for positive response on alcohol consumption of the University of Limpopo students aged 17* 

**Males Females % (n) % (n)**

61.9\* (258) 47.8\* (239)

**3. Results**

Faculties of the University of Limpopo

Bursaries Received

Students Study level

Alcohol consumption

the past 30 days

Age when you had first drink of alcohol

Are you currently drinking alcohol regularly during

Age when you first started drinking alcohol regularly during the past 30 days

Types of alcoholic drinks you drink regularly in the past 30 days

**180**

**Table 1.**

*to 43 years.*

*\*≥0.05; \*\*≥0.001.*


#### **Table 3.**

*Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval and p-value for the association of current regular alcohol drinking use and the associated risk factors for University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years.*

significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the current regular alcohol use among University of Limpopo students for unadjusted (OR ranges 4.31 95%CI 2.71 6.87 to 4.92 95%CI 3.16 7.70) and after adjusted for age, gender, and amount of money deposited into the student account by the bursary scheme (OR ranges from 4.14 95%CI 2.59 6.62 to 4.50 95%CI 2.87 7.06). Place of residence and educational level of students were not significantly associated with current regular alcohol use among students. Current regular alcohol use among students was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with enhancing creativity (OR = 4.52 95%CI 3.73 8.210) and popularity (OR = 1.86 95%CI 0.07 3.71) motive among University of Limpopo students before adjusting the cofounders, even after adjusting cofounders, creativity (OR = 3.65 95%CI 2.74 6.66) popularity (OR = 2.31 95%CI 1.87 7.86)).

**183**

and vision.

*Alcohol Consumption Practice and Associated Risk Factors among University of Limpopo Students*

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of alcohol use and related risk factors among University of Limpopo students aged 17 to 43 years. The prevalence of current alcohol drinkers was significantly higher for males compared to females in a University of Limpopo. Similar patterns were reported earlier in South African Universities [7, 9, 10]. Among students in South Africa, Lategan *et al*, [12] found significant differences in drinking behaviour between males and females, with male students drinking frequently more alcohol than female students. Kypri, et al., [21] reported similar results among students in a university in New Zealand and further

In the current study, a significant number of males compared to females (P < 0.05) preferred drinking beer and spirits. Weschler et al., [22] reported that several students (both genders) chose spirits (43.8%), beer (19.2%) cider (17.4%)

Students who preferred spirits and beer showed risky drinking behaviour such as driving while drunk and smoking [12]. Alcohol use at university tends to reach a peak among students aged between 18 and 25 years and are also at the risk of increasing their alcohol consumption later [23]. These university students may develop drinking patterns early in life and it will eventually affect their health and

In the current study alcohol use among students is associated with the use of tobacco and alcohol among friends and family they are staying with. Taremian et al., [24] showed a relatively high incidence of alcohol (17%) abuse among University students in Tehran, however drugs abuse was also high with 34% waterpipe smoking, 24% cigarette, and 2.2% marijuana. Patterns of alcohol consumption and use of drugs vary depending on drinking motives. Cox and Klinger, [25] reported that alcohol drinking and drug use motives could be characterised into two underlying dimensions reflecting the valence (positive or negative) and source (internal or external) of the outcome an individual hopes to achieve. These drinking and drug problems of university students affect their academic achievement badly, emotional adaptableness, and the ability to get jobs after obtaining their career

In our current study alcohol use was not significantly associated with the students residents (off campus/on campus). Dawson et al., [27] found the similar results were there was no differences in amount of alcohol drinking among students living on and off-campus. Similar results were found in the current study. Contrary, Simons-Morton et al., [14] reported that independency and peer pressure increases

In the present study, most students drank alcohol to improve interpersonal relationships. The greatest motive for drinking was to be popular followed by difficulties with confidence among males in the current study. Yoo et al., [28], reported a similar response among Korean Medical Students. The high prevalence of drinking among university students not only undermines academic performance, it also places student at risk of injuries, mortality, crime, and sexual assault [29]. It is necessary and essential to identify the significance of alcohol consumption complications in the institutional environment and system that can launch a healthy drinking culture. The problem of university student alcohol consumption can be solved by Policy-based tactics. A healthy drinking culture should be advocated by both the university authority, staff, students and parents such that skilled graduates of the University of Limpopo could pursue his/her career with dignity

the risk of alcohol consumptions among students living off-campus.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96349*

and very few chose wine (3.7%).

qualification [26].

indicated that these students drank over the legal limit.

reduce their life expectancy later in their lifestyle.

**4. Discussions**

*Alcohol Consumption Practice and Associated Risk Factors among University of Limpopo Students DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96349*
