Investigating the impact of alcohol abuse on academic performance among students of Makerere University

Abstract

The study aimed at finding out the impact of alcohol abuse on students’ attitude towards academics and performance as well. It focused on Makerere University students from the residents and non-residents. Simple random sampling was used in obtaining the respondents so as to eliminate any kind of bias and a questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 96 respondents were issued with questionnaires but only 84 were retrieved back and these were used for further analysis. Data obtained was analyzed using STATA and has been presented in form of charts and tables. Basing on the findings, 71 out of 84 of the respondents consume alcohol. Most of the respondents (43%) were aged between 20-29 years. The study also shows that for those who consume alcohol, many consume from 1-5bottles of alcohol each time they take it. The major causes given for alcohol consumption were “peers pressure.” And the next cause given was “stress.” Among the health effects known to the respondents, diseases; a long-term effect of alcohol consumption was listed by respondents and absenteeism was mentioned as a major effect which was found to have a significant relationship with those with 4.5-5.0 CGPA which results to lowering of grades as a result of missing lectures. This also applied to those with 2.0-2.5 CGPA. Quantity of alcohol and its effects after consumption were found to have an insignificant relationship with those having 3.5- 4.4CGPA and an increase in quantity of alcohol consumed by the student results to lowering in grades In conclusion, this study demonstrates that majority of students in Makerere University campus do consume alcohol for a number of reasons and this negatively affects their academic performance. There is, therefore need to keep up with education of the public about excessive alcohol use. There is still need for the country to implement an alcohol law, governing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.