Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding alcohol use among secondary school students in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State. Alcohol consumption among adolescents is a growing concern due to its potential negative effects on physical and mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 400 secondary school students selected through stratified random sampling. The results showed that a significant proportion of the students had good knowledge about the risks associated with alcohol use, with a mean knowledge score of 75%. However, despite this knowledge, a considerable number of students still had positive attitudes towards alcohol consumption, with a mean attitude score of 60%. In terms of practices, the study revealed that about 30% of the students had experimented with alcohol, and 15% reported regular alcohol consumption. Factors such as peer influence, family history of alcohol use, and lack of parental supervision were found to be significantly associated with alcohol use among the students. The study also found a significant gender difference in alcohol use, with male students being more likely to consume alcohol compared to female students. Overall, the findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the knowledge-behavior gap among secondary school students in Owerri North L.G.A. These interventions should focus on improving awareness about the risks of alcohol use, changing attitudes towards alcohol consumption, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices among adolescents. By addressing these factors, policymakers and educators can work towards reducing alcohol-related harm and promoting the well-being of secondary school students in the region.

Thesis Overview

                       ABSTRACT 

            The study was to determine the Alcohol Use Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Secondary School Students in Owerri North L. G. A. of Imo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, 12 objectives with corresponding research questions were posed and nine hypotheses postulated. The descriptive survey design was used for the study.

            The instrument for data collection was a 58 item questionnaire. Three Lectures in Health and Physical education and two from science education validated the instrument. Split half method was used for test of reliability. The population for the study consisted of 640 secondary school students in Owerri North L. G. A. of Imo State. Six hundred and forty copies of the questionnaire were distributed and were collected back which gave one hundred per cent return rate were used for the analysis of data.

            Percentages and mean scores were used to answer research questions, while t-test, ANOVA and Chi-Square statistics were used for testing of the null hypotheses. The result of the study indicated that: (1) The students’ level of knowledge of alcohol use and abuse was average while students level of knowledge of alcohol Misuse was high (see Table 1). (2) Students’ attitude towards alcohol use, misuse and abuse was positive (see Table 2). (3) Majority of the students used alcohol misused and abused alcohol (see Table 3). (4) Female students had high level of knowledge of alcohol use, while male students had average level of knowledge of alcohol use, male and female students had high level of alcohol misuse and abuse (see Table 4) (5) Slightly higher proportion of urban and rural students had high level of knowledge of alcohol misuse and abuse while urban and rural had average level of knowledge of alcohol use (see Table 5). (6) Junior secondary school students had high level of knowledge of alcohol use, than other classes while JSSIII students had low level of knowledge of alcohol use, JSSI students had high level of knowledge of alcohol misuse than other classes. JSSI students also had high level of knowledge of alcohol abuse than other classes while JSSII students had low level of knowledge of alcohol abuse (see Table 6). (7) The overall attitude of both male and female students toward alcohol use, misuse and abuse was positive although that of males was slightly higher than the females (see Table 7). (8) The overall attitude of both urban and rural students towards alcohol use, misuse and abuse was positive (see Table 8). (9) Both JSS and SS students had positive attitudinal mean scores towards alcohol use, misuse and abuse although that of JSS111 was slightly higher than that of JSSII and SSII (see Table 9). (10) Slightly higher percentage of male students than female students used alcohol, abused and misused alcohol (see Table 10). (11) More urban students used alcohol than rural students used and misused alcohol while rural students abuse alcohol more than urban students (see Table 11). (12) Both JSS and SS students used alcohol, misused and abused alcohol, although that of SS students was slightly higher than the JSS students (see Table 12). (13) There was no significant difference between male and female students’ level of knowledge of alcohol misuse and abuse while there was significant difference in the students’ knowledge of alcohol use (see Table 13). (14) There was no significant difference in the knowledge of students regarding alcohol use, misuse and abuse (see Table 14). (15) There was significant difference in the students’ level of knowledge of alcohol use, misuse and abuse (see Table 15). (16) There was no significant difference in the attitude of male and female students towards alcohol use, misuse and abuse (see Table 16). (17) There was no significant difference in the attitude of urban and rural students towards alcohol use misuse and abuse (see Table 17). (18) There was no significant difference in the attitude of JSS and SS students regarding alcohol use and alcohol misuse while there was significant difference in the attitude of students regarding alcohol abuse (see Table 18). (19) There was no significant difference in the practice of male and female students towards alcohol use, misuse and abuse (see Table 19). (20) There was no significant difference in the practice of urban and rural students towards alcohol use, misuse and abuse (see Table 20). (21) There was significant difference in the practice of JSS and SS students towards alcohol use, abuse and misuse (see Table 21).  

Based on major findings and conclusions, the government should endeavour to make the teaching of Health education compulsory to both junior and senior secondary schools. Government should also fund the organization of seminars and workshops for all secondary school students to bridge the existing gap. This will enhance their performance in their knowledge, attitude and practice of alcohol use in Owerri North L. G. A. of Imo