Gender and Ethnic Differences in Attitudes towards the Use of Alcohol and Smoking of Cigarettes on University Campuses in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have investigated student's health status and lifestyles behaviours but none have looked into students' attitudes towards positive lifestyles that can enhance good health. This study is the first study in Nigeria that gauged student's attitudes towards the use of alcohol and cigarettes on campuses, by gender and ethnicity.

Objectives: This study intends to understand students' attitudes towards banning of smoking and alcohols on campus in Nigerian universities and how this transmits through gender and ethnicity.

Method: The study was cross sectional. Full time university students were recruited from six universities within three ethnic groups in Nigeria for the study. Data collection was based on an anonymous questionnaire and the sample size was (n=1549). Descriptive tests, chi-square tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted.

Results: With regards to ‘no smoking on campus' 67% of the total sample strongly agrees while 10% of the total sample strongly disagrees. By gender more female students than male strongly agree that there should be no smoking on campus. With regards to ethnicity the study indicated that more Hausa students strongly agree that there should be no smoking on campus while more Igbo students strongly disagree that there should be no smoking on campus. With regards to ‘no alcohol on campus' 54% strongly agree only 6% strongly disagree' With regards to gender, more female students than male strongly agree that there should be no alcohol on campus. On the other hand, ethnic differences indicated that more Hausa students strongly agree to the ban of alcohol on campus.

Conclusion: The findings indicated that gender ethnicity influences students' lifestyle behaviours and attitudes towards positive healthy lifestyles. Consequently, the result showed that public health intervention for positive lifestyles behaviour in Nigeria should be target towards ethnicity, and gender.