The Incidence Of Alcohol Abuse Among Teenagers In Rumuogba Community

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

The Incidence Of Alcohol Abuse Among Teenagers In Rumuogba Community

Abstract

This study was carried out on the incidence of alcohol abuse among teenagers in Rumuogba community, Obio/Akpor L.G.A Rivers State. The use of alcohol at this critical age can lead to serious health outcomes such as causing harm to body organs such as the liver and sometimes injuries. A quantitative cross sectional descriptive survey design was used. Cluster sampling of 392 SSS1 and SSS2 students between the ages of 15 to 19 years from two selected schools in the study area completed a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software and results presented in frequency tables. Test of association and correlation between explanatory variables and the outcome of interest was done using chi-square. The study showed that alcohol use prevalence was 35% and the types of alcoholic beverage preferred by the respondents were beer and wine. Significantly, there was very low effect of alcohol use and curiosity was the reason for alcohol intake. The principal influencing factors of alcohol use was advertisement and peer pressure. The study therefore concluded that alcohol use still remains a problem among teenagers. However, a comparison of the two schools used in the study revealed that there was no significant recording that may suggest a difference in prevalence, effects, influence of alcohol use among the two schools.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Introduction

  • 1.1 Background of the Study
  • 1.2 Statement of the Problems
  • 1.3 Objective of the Study
  • 1.4 Research questions
  • 1.5 Significance of the Study
  • 1.6 Scope of the Study
  • 1.7 Definition of Terms

Chapter Two

Literature Review

  • 2.1 The Concept of Alcohol
  • 2.2 Biblical Analysis of Wine
  • 2.3 Alcohol Use among Youths
  • 2.4 Prevalence of Alcohol
  • 2.5 Effects of Alcohol on Youths

Chapter Three

Research Methodology

  • 3.1 Study Design
  • 3.2 Study Area
  • 3.3 Study Population
  • 3.4 Sample Size Determination
  • 3.5 Sampling Methods
  • 3.6 Data Collection Tool
  • 3.7 Quality Control
  • 3.8 Data Analysis
  • 3.9 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four

Data Presentation and Analysis

  • 4.1 Socio-demographic Characteristics and Alcohol use
  • 4.2 Prevalence of Alcohol Use
  • 4.3 Preferred alcoholic beverage
  • 4.4 Means of getting Alcohol
  • 4.5 Perceived Effects of Alcohol Use
  • 4.6 Factors that Influence Alcohol Use
  • 4.7 Reason for Alcohol Use
  • 4.8 Comparisons of Schools used for the Study
  • 4.9 Test of Associations of Explanatory Variables
  • 4.10 Association between Advertisement and Alcohol Use

Chapter Five

Discussions of Findings

  • 5.0 Introduction
  • 5.1 Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Alcohol Use
  • 5.2 Prevalence of Alcohol Use.
  • 5.3 Preferred Alcoholic Beverage
  • 5.4 Reasons for Alcohol Use
  • 5.5 Effects of Alcohol Use
  • 5.6 Factors Influencing Alcohol Use

Chapter Six

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • 6.1 Conclusion
  • 6.2 Recommendations
  • 6.3 Contribution to Knowledge
  • 6.4 Suggestion for Further Studies
  • References
  • Appendix
  • Questionnaire

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Alcohol has many usage and contrasting connotations. A glass of wine with a meal can symbolize Love, friendship, relaxation and enjoyment of a special occasion. It can represent romance, coming of age, success, beginnings and endings, good news and good company. At a Christian Eucharist or Jewish Passover, where wine is also shared, thanks are given to God for divine salvation from all that were enslaved, restricted and condemned. In drinking the wine, Christians participate with the first disciples in their Last Supper with Christ, and Jews participate with the ancient Hebrews in their exodus from enslavement in Egypt.

In African tradition, wine is used to portray a relationship and communion between the living human and ancestors, deities and other supernatural entities. This is evidence in covenant establishment, oath taking, daily ritual of libation, burial and institution of shrines and altars. Also in marriage ceremonies, the usage of alcoholic wine is indispensible even against the vehement opposition of Pentecostal churches in Africa with Nigeria as typical example. Ekwe (2000) stated that apart from water and wind, wine is another integral and indispensible part of African life and living. The presence is felt in almost all the activities of African customs and traditions ranging from burials, rituals, marriages, oath takings, covenant establishments, meetings, hospitalities, evening relaxation to all forms of their daily activities.

Unfortunately, the sacredness and redemption of these occasions contrast with the association of alcohol with drunken violence in our towns and cities, cirrhosis of the liver on our medical wards, debts in families, death on our roads and numbers of fights in families. It contrasts more especially with the enslavement, which is alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction. This contrasting nature of alcoholic drink is clearly revealed in different chapters and verses of the Hebrew Scripture, the Old Testament. Serious warnings were placed on the need to avoid addiction and lust towards alcoholic wine. At some instances, some people were strictly warned not to taste alcoholic wine or partake in meals that have connection with alcohol. For instance, Nazarites like Samson in Judges 13:7, Princes in Proverbs 31:4 and the Rechabite family in Jeremiah 35 were in this category. The book of Proverbs 23:29-35 which is the case study of this research work pointed out and analyze the state, condition and ordeals of an alcoholic drinker and the problem of addiction even in this contemporary era.

In more purely statistical and objective terms, alcohol misuse is a contemporary social problem of enormous economic significance, which exacts a high toll of human suffering as a result of the social, psychological and medical harms to which it gives rise. Alcohol related morbidity and mortality are high in most parts of the world, and in many developing nations like Nigeria, alcohol consumption and its concomitant harms are on the increase. Yet, moderate alcohol consumption is tolerated, enjoyed and encouraged, with the majority of the adult population being drinkers of alcohol in almost all countries other than those with an Islamic culture.

What are we to make of these observations? It is easy to project blame to a safe distance by arguing that they are the responsibility of other people’s plights or forces beyond our control.

Government, industries and moderate drinkers can blame a majority of irresponsible citizens for their excesses. The beverage alcohol industry can easily be blamed for promoting a product which causes so much harm. Or else, the product itself can be blamed and made subject of prohibition, on the basis that everyone would be better if it were not consumed at all in civilized society.

Perhaps no one needs to be to blame at all. Rather than blaming people for being irresponsible whether either as drinkers or promoters of alcoholic beverage, Cook (2003) argued that maybe the problem is better understood more in terms of disease. Perhaps some people are exceptionally vulnerable because of a disease of some kind, in such a way that alcohol causes them harm, and through them harms other people too. The nature of this disease is complex. It might be understood as a disease affecting the moral and spiritual nature of human beings in such a way as to impair their judgment, self control and integrity in a far more fundamental way. And, at risk of over-simplifying things and jumping ahead of the argument, this disease might be called alcohol abuse or addiction.

Therefore, viewing alcohol abuse or addiction as a disease or rather cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the teenagers lives and society at large, one has to provide medication that will give permanent cure to this disease or reduce it to the bearest minimum in our society. One obvious fact which is glaring is the application of diverse curative methods to halt the pandemic nature of alcohol addiction which many have failed. For instance, laws have been made in different societies against alcoholic drinking, like in many Islamic states, which proved abortive because people devise diverse means to fall back to the pit of addiction. Again different alcoholic producing companies have been banned from production and advertising alcoholic drinks, but local production of alcohol serve as alternative means, therefore making the former ineffective.

However, the Hebrew Scripture offers principles, precepts and admonitions which strict observation, adherence and application of these, will bring the menace of alcohol abuse in the society to a halt. The reason remains that the Scripture touches the heart of man and answers diverse questions in the inner man. Edward (2000) observed that while human laws address immediate issues and challenges of man which solutions are temporal, the Scripture touches the remote (the root) of the same issues, offering a permanent solution. So the problem of alcohol abuse is not different from other issues which the Scripture has offered permanent solution.

This study analyzes the incidence of alcohol abuse among teenagers in Rumuogba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state, Nigeria, using the Scriptural tool presented in Proverbs 23:29-35. Among all the books in the Bible that talked about alcohol, the book of Proverbs in different chapters and verses (Proverbs 23:20-21, 20:1) made many comments on the issue of wine and alcohol. But among these chapters, Proverbs 23:29-35 has the longest context, therefore stands as the most appropriate exegetical tool to treat the issue of alcohol abuse. Lessons drawn from this text will be applied to the Nigeria society with regards to alcohol abuse. Placing the Bible text on the Nigeria situation, solution will be offered.

1.2 Statement of the Problems

There is no issue of greater concern in our society today, whether it is to health, industry, state or church, national or family life, than that of alcohol and its effects. The knowledge that scientific research, history and human observation revealed has proved clearly that alcohol abuse is a problem which must be undertaken from different approaches. No one attitude or objective field of service can operate independently with complete success.

The level of alcohol addiction in Nigeria is growing in a geometric speed and the consumption percentage is very alarming. Amadi (2010) observed that every street in Onitsha, Anambra State, has about three to five bars and drinking centers. The number of crates of beer consumed in a day, especially on Sunday, calls for higher supply to alcoholic producing companies and on the other side of the coin, calls for a social rethink.

Wondering on the increasing craves for alcoholic drink, one will foresee the corresponding health, psychological, social and economical dangers it poses to our nation Nigeria. This case is similar to the problem of HIV/AIDs because it is either one is infected or affected. Therefore, everyone is involved in this issue and thereby requires general attention. Besides, the woes that betide victims of alcohol abuse like cases of family separation, psychological trauma, serious health issue, financial bankruptcy, several road accidents and deaths have never served as a deterrent to up coming alcoholic drinker. The more people are affected, the more the quest for “mixed wine”.

Also the taste and nature of many alcoholic drinks in Nigeria awake the mind to critical questions. It is has been observed that different brands of beer in Nigeria are very bitter and gins are very hot, yet the rate of consumption is too high and unbearable. The evidence is quiet glaring in different bars and joints where a single individual consumes a crate of beer or even more, staggering home without counting the cost both financially and healthwise.

Therefore critical questions arise: what are the principal factors responsible for the high consumption of alcohol in our society? Are there measures taken to curb this social menace and what result have they yielded? If those measures or steps taken to checkmate this ill proved abortive, what is the cause? Who bears causative responsibility for alcoholic problems, the producers or the promoters or the consumers? If previous measures to arrest alcohol abuse have failed, are there new measures that can be applied or added to the failed one in order to achieve a solid and lasting result? What is the role of the church to combat this evil betiding our society if other institutions have failed in their attempts?

The researcher saw these existing states of affairs as societal hurdles that require a tactical approach. These questions are great challenges and mathematical puzzles if left unsolved will foster the increase of this social ill. This research work to a reasonable extent analyzes these issues and offers solutions.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the incidence of alcohol abuse among teenagers in Rumuogba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state, Nigeria.

In other words, the problem of alcohol has been known for decades starting from the time of Noah, down to the time of Solomon who gave this instruction concerning alcohol, so the Nigerian situation is not new. If the Scripture offered solution, then, this work will apply it to the contemporary Nigerian situation with the intention to bring solutions also.

The following are the specific objectives of the study:

  1. To assess the prevalence of alcohol use among the teenagers.
  2. To identify the types of alcohol consumed by the teenagers.
  3. To determine the perceived effects of alcohol use among the teenagers.
  4. To determine the factors that influence alcohol use among the teenagers.

1.4 Research Questions

  1. What is the prevalence of alcohol use among students in the selected senior high schools?
  2. What types of alcohol does students in the senior high school use?
  3. What are the perceived effects of alcohol use among the teenagers?
  4. What are the factors that influence alcohol use among the teenagers?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This work is first important to the addicted in the sense that it will give revelation of his situation, the harm it has caused him and the possible way out. There is a high amount of difficulty to quit from addiction to any substance and alcoholic addiction is not exceptional. But this work will serve as a hammer that will break the stumbling block of alcoholic addiction.

Furthermore, this study is significant to the church in the sense that it will challenge and spur them on to action in order to combat alcohol abuse and its dooming effect to the Nigerian society. The clergy will be motivated to herald the gospel of deliverance from alcohol abuse while the laity will move to the grassroots of bars, joints and drinking centers to take the message home.

To psychologist, health and social workers the study is a compass to navigate into the life and situation of their client in this situation. This will inject fresh hope and energy in them in their fight against alcoholic addiction and other related challenges. Proper application of the principle this work will enshrine with respect to alcoholic addiction together with their principle will bring a social change.

The families of the drunk, individuals and organizations that are affected are not left out. This will serve as aid for the development of proper approach to the one under this condition. It will be a manual that will foster their ability to instruct, counsel, treat an alcoholic addict.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study will concentrate on the incidence of alcohol abuse among teenagers and as it affects the Nigerian society. The contemporary society is challenged by diverse addictions and dependency on different substance such as alcohol, hard drugs (Cocaine, nicotine Marijuana, cigarette, etc). Common observation has proved that people addicted to alcohol in Nigeria are twice in number than those addicted to any substance. Therefore, this concept motivates the researcher to limit the scope of this study to alcoholic wine and alcohol abuse. This will enable him to make in-depth study on the effects of alcohol on the Nigerian society. In other words issues concerning non-alcoholic wine and other dependence substance shall not be treated.

Moreover, the Nigerian environment and society will serve as the location of this study with direct reference to states in the southern part of the country. The concept of alcohol abuse and problems associated with them is a global pandemic with diverse effects on different society. The Nigeria society shares in this problem also, therefore becomes suitable for this study. References can be made on other countries of the world but Nigeria will be the central focus and the first hand

1.7 Definition of Terms

Effect

According to Abbott (2009), effect can be defined as a change or changed state occurring as a direct result of action by somebody or something else. It can also be seen as a change that somebody or something causes in somebody or something else. The result of such action can be seen as effects. This result can be either positive or negative as the case may be.

Alcohol Abuse

There are various definitions of alcohol abuse; some are based on causal factors, while others stress operational aspect. Jellinek (1960) defined alcohol abuse as any use of alcoholic beverage that causes damage of the individual or society or both. Alcohol abuse is a broad term for problems with alcohol and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages usually to the detriment of the drinker’s health, personal relationships and social standing. It is medically considered a disease, specifically a neurological disorder, and in medicine several other terms are used, specifically „alcohol abused” and „alcohol dependence‟ which have more specific definition.

Society

Wikipedia Encyclopedia (2011) defined society as a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

Church

Mahoney (2009) defined the church as a word derived from the Greek word “ekklesia” which means a called out assembly. Church (singular) refers to the church universal, a city church or a house church. Abbott (2003) added that the New Testament offers many metaphors for the word church like, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the branch of the true Vine (Christ), the people of God etc

Chapter Six

Conclusion and Recommendations

6.1 Conclusion

The results obtained from the study suggested that there was a low prevalence of alcohol use among Youths in the Rumuogba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state. For those who took alcohol, the principal factors that influenced them to drink were alcohol advertisement and peer pressure. There were however, no reported significant effects of alcohol on the students who use it.

6.2 Recommendations

  1. Similar studies should include SSS 3 students and also out of school students in the community.
  2. The mesmerizing nature of alcohol advertising on our Medias should be reduced.
  3. The influence of peer pressure should also be tackled especially in our second cycle institutions to reduce its negative effects on teenagers by focusing on its positive sides
  4. The study also showed that majority of the respondents live with their parents and they serve as their main of pocket money. Parents should use this opportunity to moderately give their children just the amount that they need. Also parents should live a model life worthy of emulation by their children and neighbors.
  5. Finally, the teenager should have life skills both in schools and the community so as to give them less time to indulge in risky behaviors such as alcohol misuse and abuse.

6.3 Contribution to Knowledge

The relevant of this research work and its impact in the field of theology cannot be overemphasized. This research work has taken in-depth study and analyses on the concept of alcohol abuse from the biblical point of view, trying to limit itself only to the book of Proverbs 23:24-35. This study applied the same analysis to the Nigerian situation with closer findings on the problems associated with alcohol abuse.

Therefore, this study has injected fresh idea in combating alcohol abuse from the religious point of view using the Old Testament study. This is a new innovation in the development of religious studies because the concept of alcohol abuse in previous years has only been approach from the medical, psychological and sociological field. Also the call for Nigerian church to wake up to the contemporary challenge of alcohol abuse in the society is impressive since such knowledge has not been revealed. Generally this research work has injected fresh idea in the concept of alcohol abuse and associate problems.

6.4. Suggestion for Further Studies

The researcher suggests to other scholars who may wish to carry out study on alcohol abuse and related issues to research on;

  1. The implication of alcohol abuse on the alcoholic immediate family; scriptural approach.
  2. The contribution of environment on the development of alcohol abuse in Nigeria. An overview of alcohol abuse in Oron, Cross River State.
  3. The study of Genesis 19:30-38 on the relationship between alcohol abuse and immorality.
    Lesson to Nigeria.

Get Complete Project Material

5,000 5000

The Complete Material Will Be Sent to You in Just 2 Steps

Quick & Simple…

Step One Purchase

Make Payment (Through Transfer) of ₦5,000 to the Account Below

Access Bank PlcAcc No: 0811003731
Samphina Academy
Current Account

Or CLICK HERE To Pay With Debit Card

FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE NIGERIA
CLICK HERE To Pay With Card ($15)
FOR GHANA STUDENTS (GHS 100)
Ghana MTN MoMoMTN MoMo
0553978005
Douglas Osabutey

Step Two Purchase

Send the Following Details on WhatsApp ( 07062590260 ) After Payment

  1. Payment Details
  2. TOPIC: The Incidence Of Alcohol Abuse Among Teenagers In Rumuogba Community

The Complete Material Will Be Sent To You On WhatsApp After Receiving Your Details
T & C Apply

  Contact Our Help Desk

Students Review

List of Related Works

Click on Any Topic to Preview the Content
samphina.academy

Samphina Academy

Samphina Academy is an Online Educational Resource Center that is aimed at providing students with quality information and materials to aid them in succeeding in their academic pursuit.