Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Factors Among Jimma University Undergraduate Students

Abstract Background : Alcohol use among University students is a problem throughout the world. University students are mostly at risk of alcohol use disorders. Alcohol use among students has an association with risky sexual behaviors and mental distress. However; little is known about alcohol use disorders among university students in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol use disorder among Jimma University undergraduate students. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was done among Jimma university students in April 2016. Data were collected from 796 of Jimma University students. Standardized tools, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), Oslo 3 items social support scale (OSS-3) and Kessler-6 (K6), were used to assess alcohol use disorders, social support and psychological distress respectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to explore factors associated with alcohol use disorders. Result: The overall prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) among Jimma University undergraduate students was 26.5%.The prevalence of AUDs among females and males was 16.4% and 32.6% respectively. There was a positive association between AUDs and having past history of mental illness (AOR 1.98, 95% CI=1.04, 3.75), having past history of suicidal attempt (AOR 3.63, 95%CI=1.18, 11.11), smoking cigarettes (AOR 5.04, 95%CI=2.02, 12.57), having close friend who drinks alcohol (AOR 2.72, 95%CI=1.76, 4.19) and presence of mental distress (AOR 2.81, 95%CI=1.83, 4.32). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among Jimma University undergraduate students was high. This implies that the university should establish Anti-alcohol clubs to increase students’ awareness on alcohol and related substances and their harmful outcomes. Keywords: Alcohol use disorders, mental distress, undergraduate students, Ethiopia.