Alcohol consumption among undergraduate social work students at a South African university

ABSTRACT

Alcohol consumption among tertiary level students is a public health problem that can adversely affect students’ performance at university. This study therefore investigated the drinking patterns; reasons for drinking; and the perceived impact of drinking on academic performance of undergraduate social work students at a South African university. Of the 145 students who completed a group administered survey questionnaire, 88% reported using alcohol mainly for social purposes and enjoyment, with two-fifths admitting to participating in binge drinking. Despite these findings, a high proportion (78%) reported not performing poorly on a test or exam due to alcohol consumption in the preceding 12 months. Recommendations are provided for the education and support of social work students as future healthcare professionals.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol consumption
• undergraduate university students
• drinking patterns
• social work students
• South Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andiswa Nyandu

Andiswa Nyandu graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) at the end of 2017. This article is based on her fourth (honors) year research for which she was awarded the top marks in her class. She is currently employed as a social worker at Michaelhouse School.

Eleanor Ross

Eleanor Ross is a Visiting Professor of Social Work at the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg. She is a former Head of the Social Work Department at Wits and was an external supervisor for this research.