Alcohol use and associated factors among high school, college and university students in Ethiopia, systematic review, and meta-analysis, 2018.

Background

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is widely consumed in the world. Alcohol use is the most prevalent among early adulthood. It affects individuals' mental, physical, economical and their social issues.Aim: To show prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors among students in Ethiopia by reviewing relevant literature.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies on the prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors among students in Ethiopia were conducted. Data were searched using PubMed/Medline, Global Health, Africa-wides, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and EMBASE databases. We used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement for reporting. The prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors was approved using the random-effects model and measured as the proportion of alcohol use (with 95% CI).Result: A month-pooled estimated prevalence of alcohol use among university, college and high school students was 26.19%. University, college and high school students who had used alcohol in the last 1-month were 25.27%, 32.34% and 23.44% respectively. Factors like being male, peer pressure and living alone were associated factors for alcohol use.

Conclusion

Alcohol use among students was higher than the general population. It is better to give special attention to school students.