162 International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 2021, 10, 162-170 E-ISSN: 1929-4247/21 © 2021 Lifescience Global Factors Associated with Alcohol Consumption among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in a Local Government Area of Oyo State, Southwest, Nigeria Adenike A.O. Olaniyi * and S.O. Jimoh School of Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract: Alcohol use during adolescence and young adulthood remain a prominent public health problem. This study identifies factors associated with alcohol consumption among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Southwest, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was used. One hundred and seventy- six (176) respondents were consecutively selected using the random technique. Data were analyzed using chi-square and hypotheses tested at a 5% level of significance. Findings revealed that the majority of the respondents had poor knowledge of alcohol consumption, while (36.4%) of the respondents had consumed alcoholic beverages. Over half (54.5%) engaged in drinking alcohol as a result of peer influence. The majority (70%) of them had good knowledge of factors influencing alcohol consumption and factors influencing consumption among the respondents. Thus, the rate of alcohol consumption among adolescents was low (36.4%) as a larger percentage (64.6%) of them did not consume alcohol owing to their knowledge of the effect and the presence of some protective factors within the environment. In conclusion, alcohol consumption among adolescents was low, knowledge of its consumption was high, and it was associated with its actual consumption. Alcohol use is also associated with peer influence and environmental variables, while age and gender did not have any relationship with alcohol consumption. Therefore, educational intervention to improve knowledge of the consequences of alcohol consumption among adolescents and public policies with preventive educational campaigns was recommended. Keywords: Adolescents, Alcohol, Factors, Students. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY Alcohol consumption has occurred for thousands of years in many parts of the world, and drinking alcoholic beverages is a common feature of social gatherings. Alcohol use is deeply embedded in many societies. Recent studies have seen changes in drinking patterns across the globe while consumption rates, drinking to excess among the general population, and heavy episodic drinking among young people are on the rise in many countries [1]. Adolescence is a span of years during which boys and girls move from childhood to adulthood, developing mentally, physically, and socially. This developmental stage is characterized by curiosity that leads to the experimentation of these adolescents on various substances. Adolescence marks a period of great and rapid physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional changes. All these changes increase one's desire for more autonomy and decision-making, which can result in risk-taking, including alcohol use. Understanding how these individual-level developmental factors related to alcohol use is critical in order to create developmentally appropriate and effective alcohol prevention and intervention programs [2]. *Address correspondence to this author at the School of Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria; Tel: +2348023451546; E-mail: nikyniyi2007@yahoo.com Alcohol consumption is considered the main dangerous behavior among adolescents, young adults, and students in general [3]. This harmful use of alcohol among this group is strongly associated with various health and mental disorders such as suicidal ideation, aggressiveness, self-harm, and alcohol dependency [4]. The use of substances among adolescents is a public health concern and has been studied extensively in many parts of the world. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s data for 2007 from the United States showed that approximately 173,654 adolescents aged above 12 years used tobacco products, 111,239 used marijuana and hashish, while 78,034 used illicit drugs other than marijuana and hashish in their lifetime. Several studies from other countries reported that teenagers were found to be involved in substance use at an early age, approximately between 11 and 14 years. It was identified that many factors increased the risk for substance use, such as experimental curiosity, peer and family influence, lack of parental supervision, and personality problems [5]. Alcohol consumption has been linked to the risk of developing cancers, cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, and mental health disorders. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol a person drinks [6]. Young people have greater problems regarding alcohol intake, and early initiation in alcohol use is one of the most important predictors of For Author's Personal Use