Alcohol use disorders among Nigerian University students: Prevalence and Sociodemographic correlates

environments and encounter new social and institutional factors that may foster heavy alcohol use. Little is known about alcohol use disorders in non-western cultures. Aims This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and examine the socio-demographic correlates of alcohol use disorders among students in Nigerian colleges. Method A cross sectional survey in which 2,658 undergraduates (males=1913, females=745) from 6 colleges in Osun state, south-western Nigeria were assessed for alcohol use disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results The 12-month prevalence for alcohol dependence is 0.8% (1.1% for male and 0.13% for female) and for alcohol abuse is 3.5% (4.4% for male and 1.1% for female). Factors independently associated with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder include parental drinking (OR 12.00, 95% CI 6.32-22.78), male gender (OR 5.40, 95% CI 2.62-11.14), higher economic status (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.59-4.18) and being non-religious (OR 9.92, 95% CI 4.43-22.23). Conclusions Alcohol use disorders are common among Nigerian college students. Effective methods of early identification and forms of anti-alcoholic education are needed. Parental drinking habits and religiosity will have to be considered while planning intervention and preventive strategies. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 5-9