Alcohol consumption and associated factors among undergraduate regular students in Wolaita Sodo University, Southern Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: alcohol consumption is a major of public health problem in the worldwide. It has been linked to risk of nutritional related chronic diseases and one of the most common risks taking behaviors among young population in University students. Objectives: aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol consumption and associated factors among undergraduate graduating regular students in Wolaita Sodo University. Methods: a cross-sectional study design was conducted at Woliata Sodo University among undergraduate graduating regular students. Structured, self- administered questioner used to collect data by multistage sampling technique. Data were entered, cleaned and analyzed by using SPSS version 24. Multivariate logistic regression analysis used to decide variables with p<0.05) as statistically significant. Results: four hundred and forty-six (446 (60.7%) of respondents consumes alcohol out of 735 respondents. The associated factors for of alcohol consumption were being female respondents AOR 0.34 95% CI: (0.21-.54), family history members consumes alcohol 4.8 times (AOR= 4.83, 95% CI: (2.68-8.70), who don´t know well about the effect of consuming alcohol were around 2.7 times (AOR= 2.71, 95% CI:( 1.67-4.50) being drunker friend were (AOR=0.03, 95% CI: 0.02-0.06), being chew “chat” use (AOR=0.45, 95% CI: (0.32-0.63), being smoking cigarettes use (AOR= 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29-0.88) were found to be significantly associated. Conclusion: the prevalence of alcohol consumption was relatively high compared to previous study. Attention should be given to counseling and peer education training and Anti-psychoactive substance club and sensitization therapy that are designed to change students´ perceptions on alcohol consumption.