How Alcohol Abuse among College Students has led to poor perfomance

HOW ALCOHOL ABUSE IN MULTIMEDIAUNIVERSITY HAS LED TO POOR ACADEMIC

PERFOMANCE

PROJECT PROPOSAL BY

BRIAN YATICH

113/00752

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ii

DEDICATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… iii

CHAPTER ONE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1

1.1 Background of the study……………………………………………………………………………………………… 1

1.2 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21.3 Assumptions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 31.4 Problem Statement……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 41.5 Objectives……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 41.6 Theoretical Framework………………………………………………………………………………………………… 51.7 Justification…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 61.8 Significance of the study…………………………………………………………………………………………………

6

2.0 CHAPTER TWO…………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

2.0 Literature review………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…7

2.1 Hypothesis……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… 9

2.2 Research Questions ………………………………………………………………………………………..……………9

3.0 CHAPTER THREE ……………………………………………………………………………………………..…….. 10

3.1 Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………… 10

Scope and Limitation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11

4.0 CHAPTER FOUR …………………………………………………………………………………………..…………… 12

Data presentation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

5.0 CHAPTER 5 ……………………………………………………………………..………………………………………. 16

Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16

Report………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16

Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18

Reference ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19

DECLARATION

This is my original work and has not been presented for any of

the study programs in any university.

…………………………… ……………………………….

Signed Date

______________________

This research project has been submitted for examination with my

approval as the university supervisor.

……………………………… ………………………………

Signed Date

Mr. Daniel Mugwe

i.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My sincere gratitude goes to Mr. Daniel Mugwe for his

invaluable support and encouragement throughout the

research proposal.

ii.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this research proposal to my parents who have always

supported me to achieve my goals and to develop my skills and

also as a professional, and finally but not less important to Mr.

Daniel Mugwe who has been a great help to this research proposal.

iii.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

How alcohol abuse in Multimedia university of Kenya hasled to poor academic performance.

1.1 Background

Increase in alcohol use often occurs during the college years. Alcohol intake among students is not a new problem, it has been documented and researched on in the past years most use a common approach and share the same view.

This research calls for attention to answers that will help shaperesearch in the coming decade on matters concerning college drinking.

In multimedia university however the situation is not different Ihave observed a number of students taking alcohol to a length of trading them in the hostel rooms, they use artistic ways to smuggle them to school without being noted.

The influx of alcohol to college walls and their use in the campus is threatening to the academic performance of the studentsothers are forced to drop out of the university.

It sparked my curiosity to know why students in campus opted to taking alcohol bearing in mind the effects that come with it, andhow it will undermine their academic performance.

This research will be helpful in informing and sensitizing students and the university administrators as it bring to light

the consequence or implications brought about due to alcohol intake among students in the university.

(Biden, 2000; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2001). It is equally humbling to realize that college drinking poses as serious a problem, perhaps even more serious a problem, to us today as it did 50 years ago But it is also important to note how much progress hasbeen made in the research methodologies available today.

This paper details the reasons on why college drinking is strongly influenced by peers and reviews the empirical literatureto demonstrate and show the multiple pathways by which students can influence drinking behavior among themselves.

1.1.2 Introduction

Parents expect a university to provide a nurturing environment for their children which would be conducive to studying.It is expected that a university should provide a safe, enrichingand rewarding educational experience for a student.

This is to ensure that children would develop their social and intellectual skills without any hindrances. However, recent news reports about college drinking in university and campuses have led to speculation about the safety of students on campus

Although the majority of students come to college already having some experience with alcohol, certain aspects of college life, such as unstructured time, the widespread availability of

alcohol, inconsistent enforcement of underage drinking laws and limited interactions with parents and other adults, can intensifythe problem. In fact, college students have higher binge drinkingrates and a higher incidence of drunk driving than their non-college peers. (Flanagan 2011)The first 6 weeks of first years is an especially vulnerable timefor heavy drinking and alcohol related consequences because of student expectations and social pressures at the start of the college life.

According to a national survey on the magnitude of alcohol and drug abuse conducted by NACADA (the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse) in 2012, the abuse of alcohol in the institutions is disturbing.

The report states that 13 per cent of teenagers in the 10 to 14 years age bracket have used an intoxicating substance, mostly alcohol followed by cigarettes.  In the 15 to 24 year bracket, 11.7 per cent are currently hooked to alcohol; most university students are in this age category. This uncontrolled consumption by the young students may lead to alcohol addiction.

Drinking in Universities has become a ritual that students often see as an integral part of their higher-education experience. Many students come to college with established drinking habits, and the college environment can exacerbate the problem.

2.1.3 Research Assumptions

The assumptions are that students who highly depend on alcohol tend to degrade in their class performance, also alcoholics and binge drinking among students is a growing trend thus leading to hazardous health implications.

Students who start drinking in college at the age of 16-20 end upbeing alcohol dependents.

The university environment has a significant role in shaping the students behavior and should not be seen as supporting a heavy drinking culture. Therefore it is essential to measure the objective drinking norms of students in campus so that appropriate interventions can follow.

The signs of heavy drinking maybe social problems, stemming from stress to

The university years are a time of transition which involves challenges, peer pressure, social relation and education hardshipamong students; this however tends to strife habits that are adopted from other students or peers.

Over the years alcohol in universities has been associated with poor academic performance and has thus affected a lot of studentsin multimedia university aged 19-24 years.

Research however brings to light how light how male students drink more compared to the female students in campus since 2010-2014 study. This has raised concerns on the poor performance and academic imbalance, where the female students have been noted to have performed much better compared to their male counterparts.

The issue of binge drinking in Multimedia University stems from students personality, genetic predisposition, peer pressure, the availability of alcohol and the students expectations on their effects either good or bad.

Alcohol and drug abuse has infused all levels of Kenyan society, with the youth and young adults being the most affected groups.

3.

1.4 Problem StatementAlcoholism in multimedia university represents a significant burden to the education sector; it has undermined the learning process, high risk of sexual behavior, physical assault and acting inappropriately.

Alcohol use constitutes one of the most serious public health issues for young people in Kenya. In fact according to National Risk Behavior Survey, (YRBS) alcohol remains the substance with the highest rate of use among high school students at 72.5%.

This however can be combated by conducting policy enforcement through structuring rules and regulations against drinking.

Instituting educational programs like social norms campaign and motivational interventions, eliminating or modifying environmental factors that contribute to the problem like shutting down of nearby bars, pubs and clubs.

1.5 Objectives

a) To establish how alcohol intake in institutions leads to poor performance in students’ academic performance.

a) To identify factors associated with high alcohol intake in Multimedia University.

b) To develop an explanatory theory that can associate college drinking and academic performance.

c) To examine the extent of alcohol drinking by Multimedia students.

4.

1.6 Theoretical Framework

This study hopes to begin to understand the change of representation of the students drinking; a lot of factors are a leading cause of students drinking problems among students in universities:

Demographic Factors

Easy access of alcohol Vague school rules and regulation Lack of policies against alcohol in the university

Psychological Factors

Peer pressure Poor parenting Stress

Economic factors Availability of factors like cash Cheap alcohol Easy access to alcohol

Contextual factors Poor student monitoring systems No direct parental supervision

5.

1.7 JustificationThe research is solely based on concern for students, University administrators, community, leaders, policy makers, parents and the government.

The vice has affected a lot of students in the university aged 18-25 years, and it has an issue of public health concern, it hasa lot of negative consequences affecting students in colleges.

The magnitude of problems posed by excessive drinking among students stimulates both improved measurements of these problems and efforts to reduce them.

1.8 SignificanceThe research will be helpful to Multimedia University students, the University administrators and policy makers, as it will educate, sensitize and inform on the negative effects of alcohol and its consequences.

NACADA will also benefit from the research as it comes up with policies regulating and addressing the prevalent issue involving college drinking.

6.

CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review According to Towl (2004:2) alcohol consumption has been described asa core component of student culture and is seen as a defining feature of tertiary education lifestyle. Alcohol is among the most abused substances in colleges. Initial studies showing the relationship between college drinkingand academic performance, concluded that alcohol was an economic substitute and that students highly depend on alcohol to cope up with their school studies. (Chaloupka and laixuthai, 1197, Dinardo Lameiux,1992).

Alcohol is now the most commonly used drug among youths and is linked to many different health outcomes. (Swahn, Bossante’& Sullivant, 2008).

Shore and Rivers in Bolton-Brownlee (1987) state that the one way to identify students’ problem with the consumption of alcohol to understand the negative consequences. These include a decrease of one’s performance in the classroom, obtaining poor academic grades, facing difficulties with management, and participating in the destruction of property.

The main reason students get to abuse alcohol is due to peer pressure and influence by other students or members of the community, very often these substance are used by their peers to whom they relate to and interact with, hence their receptiveness to alcohol use increases. Phrases like ‘‘pressure to conform’’ and the attraction of ‘‘being part of a group identity’’ are often used to describe what makes peer influence so potent (Greenspan, 1998, p. 104).

Competitive drinking may also facilitate the heavier drinking by males.

In one study that compared same- and mixed-sex dyads, the drinking in male same-sex dyadswas most extreme—although female/female dyads consumed the next highest amount (Cooper et al., 1979). Therefore, males may be especially susceptible to regarding confederate drinking as a challenge.

According to a study done by fields (2008) suggests that students under the influence of alcohol end up having their priorities changed without realizing it, for example alcohol addicted students care more about their next drink than studying.

Conferring to Kypri (2003), research at Waikato University found that students perceive alcohol consumption as an integral part of student lifestyle and a positive step towards satisfying peer integration.Using the recent study by Dinardo and Lemiux (1992) college students from 1980 through 1999 by the monitoring survey, they estimated prevalence equations for alcohol use that included its price, minimum legal drinking age, in addition it added that 60% is due to the environment in which the students found themselves in and alcohol was readily available.

Despite a general increase in cigarette and other non-alcoholic drugs, the research has shown that most prevalent of among students is alcohol.

A few students have reported the use of alcohol for stress reliefthey often experience in their day today activities.

Research done by youth research unit (drug use and alcohol consumption) 2011 indicated that drug use and alcohol are a limiting factor to education; it added that strategies on how to tackle the issue within schools need to be adaptable.

Drinking and their negative effects draw unique characteristics regarding the context and drinking patterns. The pattern of young

adults drinking is unique because it seems to be relatively variable and have a transitory course with only a group of students exhibiting heavy drinking patterns consistently across time into adulthood. (Weingardt et al., 1998).

The higher use rate among college samples is particularly disturbing because they are frequently accompanied by serious health consequences.

Much of the literature about college student alcohol use is basedon observations made at a single point in time, such as the pioneering research of Straus and Bacon (1953).

Longitudinal designs allow researchers to study how change takes place over time (Cook and Campbell, 1979). Trend, cohort and panel designs shed light on change over time, although questions of cost and practicality once again limit the researchers choice.

Some studies (e.g., Wechsler et al., 1994) found a strong association between current alcohol use and heavy episodic use and self-reported academic problems. Wood et al. (1997) examined how well first year alcohol involvement predicted academic problems in college using a longitudinal design and academic performance datataken from college transcripts.

(Haines, 1996; Keeling, 2000). In addition, Wechsler and Kuo (2000) concludedthat the potential role of social norms in influencing college students’ drinking may have been overstated. Research is needed on other types of student norms, such as supplying alcohol to underage drinkers and tolerating disruptive second hand effects, as well as on local community norms.

8.

2.1 HYPOTHESISAbuse of alcohol among university students exalt enormous problemto their academic and social lives.

Drinking in campus has become a ritual that students often see asan integral part of their educational success, they have the notion that it makes them viable and more better when studying, stating that it helps them perform better.

But the truth of the fact is that alcohol is a real scourge to students, it affects other students as well either they drink or not.

There was no tendency by the administration to curb the vice

2.2 RESESARCH QUESTIONS. The research questions guiding this study are;

1. What are the critical elements of effective school and family linked education aimed at prevention or reduction of alcohol misuse by campus students?

2. How many numbers of students aged 18-25 years take alcohol in college?

3. Why or what influences students to drink?4. What are the available regulation measures to curtail

alcohol use in the university?

9.

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGYThe research techniques that will be used to carry out the research will be questionnaires. This will ensure the identification and analysis of evaluation studies is comprehensive, transparent, replicable and unbiased.

The qualitative method of data collection which consists of issuing of self-administered questionnaires to the students to assess the length of alcohol intake within the university.

3.1 Research Method

The research uses descriptive method through the use of questionnaires to the sample population which was selected from the students.

3.2 Study population

The target population is the multimedia university students, while the accessible population is the number of students in the session during January to May semester about 100 students.

3.3 Sample technique

Names were obtained from the college admission list from January to May intake. The study will target residents and non-resident students.

3.4 Data collection procedures

The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.

The questionnaire was adjusted accordingly before embarking on the definitive study.

The respondents acknowledged their participation in the research to establish the factors associated with alcohol abuse among the students.

When the participants agreed to participate, they were instructedthat completing the questionnaire was voluntary and that they would not be identified by participating in the study.

10.

Scope and LimitationThe scope of this study is aimed at reaching out to Multimedia and other universities, the target group are both resident and non-resident students.

Limitations

The limitations in the research being conducted about alcohol in colleges are that:

The research is only dealing with alcohol and not any otherdrugs like bhang, cocaine, heroin or tobacco

The number of students does not fully represent other universities or institutions.

The location of the study especially here in Nairobi tends to be prevalent compared to other parts of the country, in that here students are easily influenced due to the availability of bars.

11.

CHAPTER 4

ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATIONThe research findings are as follows;

A total of 100 students participated in the study, the male being60(60%) as compared the females 40 (40%).

About 58% of the respondents live in campus with the majority being male.

When asked the area one grew up in, 57 of them reported living inurban area while 43 live in the rural areas

Majority of the respondents, 63.2% reported to have taken alcohol.

Fig. 4.1

Respondents who consume Alcohol

YES

NO

Males were more likely to drink more compared to the females with50% of the males taking 5 or 6 drinks.

12.

Sources of alcoholic drinks

Beer, spirits and wine was the most preferred drink among the male respondents with 45 of them stating it.

There was no difference between the gender while taking spirits since 24.5% of the male took and 25% of the females preferred.

Fig. 4.2

Spirits Beer Wine Muratina and other

MaleFemale

Accessibility of alcohol

More than half of the respondents highlighted they usually get alcohol from the bar. (outside campus).

About 70% of students especially those who stay within the schoolaccess alcohol out of the campus at bars and shops.

While 30% access them in the school club house.

13.

Reasons for alcohol use

The respondents gave different reasons for alcohol use, for fun was higher for both the males and females at 70% and 75% respectively.

Peer pressure was highlighted as the second major influence for alcohol use with the female topping at 40% and the male down at 20%.

There was a slight difference in the male students when it comesto drinking due to boredom with 17% of the male stating it and 7%of the female indicated boredom leads them to drinking.

Table 4.3

Fun Peer Pressure

Boredom Stress Other

Male 75% 20% 25% 30% 10%

Female

70% 40% 15% 40% 14%

14.

4.5 Conclusion Alcohol is the commonly abused globally, because it is sold legally and has attained commodity status almost everywhere. Evidence demonstrates that interpersonal processes strongly influence college student drinking. The peer environment contributes to high-risk alcohol use by way of direct influences,modeling and perceived norms. Each of these sources of influence has been studied in relative isolation, using different research methods The findings imply that alcohol use is probably regarded among university students as fashionable and everyone is emulating the same.

The conclusions are:

(i) Students abuse alcohol in the institution most frequently

(ii) National agencies like NACADA haven’t followed through new procedures to curb alcohol selling to students.

(iii) Students guiding and counseling is inactive in Multimedia University to address consequences on alcohol abuse.

(iv) No interventions programmes targeting the studentswho are at risk of developing alcohol use or dependence in universities has been instituted.

(v) Institutions, organizations and the governments should create awareness of risk brought about due to alcohol abuse in higher institutions.

(vi) the prominent role that peers play in the drinkingbehaviors of college students deserves greater attention

15.

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION AND RECCOMENDATIONA place of learning should never permit students to indulge in alcohol consumption. Universities need to take a firm stand to ensure their campuses are alcohol free zones. A stand against alcohol on campus requires regular policing and strict regulations.

This is a small price to pay to ensure the safety and success of the university students.Since Straus and Bacon (1953) published their revolutionary work about drinking in college, there has been much progress in understanding the issue. Much more, however, remains to be learned. We have argued for widening the lens; incorporating new perspective, variables and methodologies; and sharpening the focus through better conceptualization, measurement and sampling.A view of college drinking is both expanded and clarified holds promise for advancing understanding and enhancing prevention.

The study recommends the following:

• The University must take awareness of the fact that although the school has security guards who ensures alcohol does not get to the college grounds; this has not put an end to the social evils of alcohol on campus. Other measures have to be taken to eradicate alcohol consumption and drunkenness on campus.

• There is a need to draw the attention of students to other forms of entertainment like co-curricular activities other than the consumption of alcohol.

• Multimedia University must take immediate action to control theinflux of alcohol into campus. • Severe restriction pertaining to alcohol consumption must be enforced at Multimedia University

• All universities should be a reflection of a global community and should not be dominated by a singular culture of binge drinking.

Multimedia University needs to aspire to attain status in terms of academic standing. This will ensure its long term viability.

• College institutions must design a well-equipped counseling center for alcoholics of also an alcohol education programs. 16.

APPENDICES Questionnaire

Dear respondent, I am a Journalism student of Multimedia University

conducting a research on possible causes of alcohol consumption. I

will be grateful if you assist with the information regarding the

questions below by answering honestly. All the information gathered

will be treated with utmost confidence and only be used for academic

purposes. Thank you in advance.

1. Gender Male Female

2. Age 18-22 22-24 25-29 Other (specify)

3. Marital status Single Married

Other (specify)

4. Do you consume alcohol? If yes, proceed to question 5, if no,

skip to question 11.

Yes No

5. How often do you drink alcohol?

Daily Weekly Monthly Less than once a

month

6. At what time do you drink?

Morning Afternoon Evening other (specify)

7. Which Brand do you prefer?

Spirits Beer O Wine

Other (specify)

8. How often in a week do you access them?

Once Twice Thrice Other

(specify)

9. Is alcohol helpful in you academics?

Helpful Not helpful

10. If yes, what influences you to drink?

Cost Peers and friends Availability

Other (specify)

17.

11. What do you think about the use of alcohol by students in

college?

18.

REFFERENCE

Adams, C., & Nagoshi, C. T. (1999). Changes over one semester in drinking game playingand alcohol use andproblems in a college sample. Substance Abuse.

(Biden, 2000; Robert Wood) (Johnson Foundation, 2001).

Chaloupka and laixuthai, 1197

Collins, R. L., Parks, G. A., & Marlatt, G. A. (1985). Social determinants of alcohol consumption: the effects ofsocial interaction and model status on the self-administration of alcohol. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 189–200.

Conferring to Kypri (2003 , Dinardo Lameiux, 1992 , Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, (4eld., 2000 ), fields (2008),

Dericco, D. A. (1978). Effects of peer majority on drinking rate. Addictive Behaviors

Peer pressure (Greenspan, 1998, p. 104).

(swahn, Bossante’& Sullivant, 2008).

Shore and Rivers in Bolton-Brownlee (1987)

(Weingardt et al., 1998).

19.