Expansion of Alcohol Access Houses’ Contribution to University Students’ Vulnerability to Risk Factors and Misbehavior: the Case of Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia

This study was designed to assess the expansion of alcohol access houses’ contribution to university students’ vulnerability to risk factors and misbehavior, the case of Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia. A total of 119 (M=44, F=75) undergraduate regular students selected via the non-probability sampling technique (purposive & snow ball) completed the questionnaire. Eleven and 35 (5 groups) purposively selected participants respectively were involved for the interview and focus group discussion. Data were collected using questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussion. Data obtained using questionnaire were analyzed using percentage whereas data procured through focus group discussion and interview were analyzed qualitatively using thematic method. The study revealed that most participants (95.79%) have used different alcohol types during the last nine months duration in the university. The percentage of males who have used the different alcohol types was 97.73% while female participants’ proportion was 94.67% which were computed against each independent sample (male and female participants). The main serious consequences of using alcohol were vulnerability to negative peer pressure, experiencing mood changes-suddenly cheerful after a period of depression and beginning sexual activity with many partners as a result of the participants starting to use alcohol in the last nine months. The foremost perceived causes for students to use alcohol were to feel relaxed, to feel happy, and to forget problems. Results in the focus group discussion and interview depicted the increasing number of alcohol selling houses in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia. It can conclude that alcohol accessing houses have expanded alarmingly in Debre Berhan Town compared to some years back and due to the expansion; students involved in the study from Debre Berhan University have got to use alcohol which shows that expansion is pressuring students to have a high engagement in these houses. The research suggests that monitoring alcohol accessing houses especially around the university area through a collaborative effort of stakeholders and employing behavioral change intervention programs for university students should be emphasized.