CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
2 In educational institutions, success is measured by
3 academic performance, or how well a student meets standard
4 set out by institution. As career competition grows ever
5 fiercer in the working world, the importance of students
6 doing well in school has caught the attention of parents, and
7 employers. Education is not the only road to success in the
8 working world, much effort is made to identify, evaluate,
9 track and encourage the progress of students in schools.
10 Parents care about their child’s academic performance
11 because they believe that good academic results will provide
12 more career choices and job secutity. Perfomance in school is
13 evaluated in a number of ways. For regular grading, students
14 demonstrate their kowledge by taking written and oral tests,
15 performing presentations, turning in home work and
16 participating in class activities and discussions. Academic
17 achievement or (academic) performance is the outcome of
18 education The extent to which a student, teacher or institution
19 has achieved their educational goal. Academic achievement
20 is commonly measured by examinations or continuous
21 assessment but there is no general agreement on how it is
22 best tested or which aspects are most important — procedural
23 knowledge such as skills or declarative knowledge such as
24 facts. ([email protected]). Students academic gain and
25 learning performance is affected by numerous factor
26 including gender, age, teaching faculty, students schooling,
27 father/guardian social economic status, what they consume,
28 residential area of students, medium of instructions in
29 schools, tuition trend, daily study hour and accommodation
30 as hostelries or day scholar. Many researchers conducted
31 detailed studies about the factors contributing to students’
32 performance at different study levels. Graetz (1995)
33 suggested that a student’s educational success is contingent
34 heavily on social status of student’s parents/ guardians in the
35 society. Considine and Zappala (2002) noticed the same that
36 parent’s income or social status positively affects the student
37 test score in examination. According to Minnesota (2007)
38 “the higher education performance is depending upon the
In educational institutions, success is measured by
academic performance, or how well a student meets standard
set out by institution. As career competition grows ever
fiercer in the working world, the importance of students
doing well in school has caught the attention of parents, and
employers. Education is not the only road to success in the
working world, much effort is made to identify, evaluate,
track and encourage the progress of students in schools.
Parents care about their child’s academic performance
because they believe that good academic results will provide
more career choices and job secutity. Perfomance in school is
evaluated in a number of ways. For regular grading, students
demonstrate their kowledge by taking written and oral tests,
performing presentations, turning in home work and
participating in class activities and discussions. Academic
achievement or (academic) performance is the outcome of
education The extent to which a student, teacher or institution
has achieved their educational goal. Academic achievement
is commonly measured by examinations or continuous
assessment but there is no general agreement on how it is
best tested or which aspects are most important — procedural
knowledge such as skills or declarative knowledge such as
facts. ([email protected]). Students academic gain and
learning performance is affected by numerous factor
including gender, age, teaching faculty, students schooling,
father/guardian social economic status, what they consume,
residential area of students, medium of instructions in
schools, tuition trend, daily study hour and accommodation
as hostelries or day scholar. Many researchers conducted
detailed studies about the factors contributing to students’
performance at different study levels. Graetz (1995)
suggested that a student’s educational success is contingent
heavily on social status of student’s parents/ guardians in the
society. Considine and Zappala (2002) noticed the same that
parent’s income or social status positively affects the student
test score in examination. According to Minnesota (2007)
“the higher education performance is depending upon the
In educational institutions, success is measured by academic performance, or how well a student meets standard set out by institution. As career competition grows ever fiercer in the working world, the importance of students doing well in school has caught the attention of parents, and employers. Education is not the only road to success in the working world, much effort is made to identify, evaluate, track and encourage the progress of students in schools. Parents care about their child’s academic performance because they believe that good academic results will provide more career choices and job security. Performance in school is evaluated in a number of ways. For regular grading, students demonstrate their knowledge by taking written and oral tests, performing presentations, turning in home work and participating in class activities and discussions. Academic achievement or (academic) performance is the outcome of education The extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goal. Academic achievement is commonly measured by examinations or continuous assessment but there is no general agreement on how it is best tested or which aspects are most important — procedural knowledge such as skills or declarative knowledge such as facts. ([email protected]). Students academic gain and learning performance is affected by numerous factor including gender, age, teaching faculty, students schooling, father/guardian social economic status, what they consume, residential area of students, medium of instructions in schools, tuition trend, daily study hour and accommodation as hostelries or day scholar. Many researchers conducted detailed studies about the factors contributing to students’ performance at different study levels. Graetz (1995) suggested that a student’s educational success is contingent heavily on social status of student’s parents/ guardians in the society. Considine and Zappala (2002) noticed the same that parent’s income or social status positively affects the student test score in examination. According to Minnesota (2007) “the higher education performance is depending upon the academic performance of graduate students.
Alcohol is a substance that has been in consumption by man for many centuries in order to get special bodily sensation and is deeply embedded in diverse cultures all over the world. It is used in almost all parts of the world yet many people are not even aware that it is classified as drug. Many Nigerians do not regard alcohol as a very potent drug due to the fact that it is readily available and its use is socially accepted by the society. In some societies other than Nigeria today, drinking behaviour is considered important for the whole social order and so drinking is defined and limited in accordance with fundamental motifs of the culture. However, in Nigeria today, alcohol has contributed immensely to various road accidents and crimes. Many years ago, alcohol used to be the preserve of adult males, but recent studies show that alcohol is now abused by the young ones and also the females. When alcohol is taken in excess, the following effects could be experienced in the body: It deadens the nervous system. It increases the heart-beat. It causes the blood vessels to dilate. It causes bad digestion notably of vitamin B especially when taken on empty stomach. It interferes with the power of judgment and poisons the higher brain and nerve centre etc. The abuse of various mood-altering substances has been reported to be prevalent among Nigerian youths. Some substances alter the mind, change the user's feeling, perception and behavior when they are used because they exert action on the brain. It is believed that any paper concerning alcohol and mental health of the youths would be crucial to Nigeria where violence, kidnapping, insurgency and other vices are perpetrated by the youths. According to a recent report by- World Health Organisation (WHO) (2018) half of mental health disorders start at adolescence. It was stated that one in five adolescents experience mental health challenges, though most remain under-diagnosed and untreated. WHO is focusing on the psychological well-being of young people aged i0 to 14 years to stave off conditions that can impact their lives deep into adulthood. Dr. TarunDua, mental health expert in WHO explained: "Half of mental health disorders arise before the age of 14. If these are left untreated, they extend into adult life, thus impacting educational attainment, employment, relationships or even parenting. "UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his statement marking the Day, World Mental Health Day urged adolescents to start nurturing their mental health "at an early age". World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10, with the overall objectives of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. Guterres stated further that "poor mental health during adolescence has impact on educational achievement and increases the risk of alcohol and substance use as well as violent behavior. A great deal of mental health conditions arc both preventable and treatable, especially if we start looking after our mental health at an early age Guterres further stated. The UN chief stressed that many children and teenagers caught up in conflicts and disasters worldwide were particularly at risk of psychological distress.
“The UN is committed to creating a world where by 2030 everyone, everywhere has someone to turn to, in support of their mental health in a world free of stigma and discrimination. If we change our attitude to mental health we change the world. It is time to act on mental health,” the UN chief concluded. The word, “Alcoholism” has become a common terminology all over the world today, and Oyo state is not an exception. Most of our youths indulge in taking alcohol in order to belong or feel comfortable and or if they are not fulfilled in their lives, or their lives have no meaning they take solace in alcohol as an escape route.
Although alcohol use studies have been conducted among high school and university students in Nigeria, most of these studies have been confined to a particular region of the country, mostly the South-Western Region, with few studies conducted in the Northern parts, where the rate of alcohol use is assumed to be higher. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption among university students in the south-western part of Nigeria and to identify risk and protective factors associated with alcohol consumption. The findings from this study will provide a picture of patterns of alcohol use and identify factors contributing to harmful alcohol use among university students in Nigeria. This information will be useful in informing public health policies, and the development of the strategies and interventions to reduce harms among Nigeria’s student population.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
There is a general observation that the youths in Osun state have a serious problem of alcoholism which affects them psychologically, physically and academically. Most of the youths have become psychologically and socially dependent on alcohol. This tends to manifest in everything they do each day whereby most of them find it difficult to study or work without taking alcohol.
Regardless of how one defines success, having a
good academic performance will be a boost in achieving it
rather than not been educated. Alcohol consumption by
students in the university has become unbearable. Not only
that alcohol poses danger to health but its negative effect on
academic performance. Once in the university, peer group
has a strong influence on the students’ involvement with
alcohol. Students instead of engaging in academic activity
spend their precious time in social activity (alcohol). This
leads to class misses, failing of tests, rape, unwanted
pregnancies, vandalism, drunk driving and other types of
crimes.
Regardless of how one defines success, having a good academic performance will be a boost in achieving it rather than not been educated. Alcohol consumption by students in the university has become unbearable. Not only that alcohol poses danger to health but its negative effect on academic performance. Once in the university, peer group has a strong influence on the students’ involvement with alcohol. Students instead of engaging in academic activity spend their precious time in social activity (alcohol). This leads to class misses, failing of tests, rape, unwanted pregnancies, vandalism, drunk driving and other types of crimes.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
- To examine how social change can be created among Oduduwa University Ipetumodu students on alcoholism and mental health.
- To assess whether family background can lead to alcoholism among youths.
- To examine why alcoholism is on the increase among the teenagers.
- To ascertain the problems of managing alcohol consumption among Nigeria undergraduates
- To proffer solutions on how science laboratories can be managed.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- How can social change be created among Oduduwa University Ipetumodu students on alcoholism and mental health?
- Does family background lead to alcoholism among youths?
- Why is alcoholism on the increase among the teenagers?
- What are the problems of managing alcohol consumption among Nigeria undergraduates?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study is to investigate how alcoholism can lead to mental disturbance (health); to identify youths who are addicted to alcohol; and to provide a lasting solution in preventing or curbing the intake of alcohol among our youths.
1.6 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESES
Ho: There is no significant relationship between consumption of alcohol and academic performance.
Ho: There are no significant benefits of alcohol on psychological and social wellbeing of an undergraduate.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study focuses on an Assessment of the Effects of Consumption of Alcohol on Psychological and Social Wellbeing among Undergraduates of Oduduwa University Ipetumodu, Osun State.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
CONSUMPTION
The process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating) synonyms: ingestion, intake, uptake.
ALCOHOL
A colorless volatile flammable liquid which is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars and is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel.
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL WELLBEING
Psychosocial well-being is a superordinate construct that includes emotional or psychological well-being, as well as social and collective well-being. The term “quality of life” is similar to psychosocial well-being in that it involves emotional, social and physical components. At the same time, it is often used in healthcare research to specify how the individual’s well-being may be impacted over time by a medical condition, thus muddying its conceptual clarity and specificity.
UNDERGRADUATE
An undergraduate is a student at a university or college who is studying for his or her first degree.
REFERENCES
Graetz, B. (1995), Socio-economic status in education research and policy in John Ainley et al., Socio-economic Status and School Education DEET/ACER Canberra.
Considine, G. & Zappala, G. (2002). Influence of social and economic disadvantage in the academic performance of school students in Australia. Journal of Sociology, 38, 129-148.
Minnesota Measures (2007) Report on higher education performance. Retrieved on May 24, 2008 from www.opencongress.org/bill/110.s/642/show-139k
World!Health!Organization!(WHO).!(2012).!Youth!violence!and!alcohol!fact!sheet.!Retrieved!from!
http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/!world_report!/factsheets/ft_youth.pdf!Accessed!26th!
August!2019.
World Health Organization!(WHO).!(2018).!Youth!violence!and!alcohol!fact!sheet.!Retrieved!from!http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/!world_report!/factsheets/ft_youth.pdf!Accessed!26th!August!2019.
