Prevalence Rate of Alcohol Use and Its Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Jigjiga University

Background: Use of substances such as alcohol, khat leaves (Catha edulis) and tobacco has become the rising major public health and socio-economic problems worldwide.This study was aimed to assess alcohol use among undergraduate students of Jigjiga University in Ethiopia.Methods: A cross sectional study design was used and the study population was students from selected departments.The sample size was calculated by use of single population proportion formula.Accordingly, the calculated sample size was 648 after multiplying by design effect of 1.5 and adding 10%for non-response rate.Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regressions was employed.Adjusted Odds Ratios together with corresponding 95% confidence intervals was used to interpret the findings.Result: This study found 164(27.3%)alcohol users from the total of 600 respondents who filled the questionnaire.The odds of drinking alcohol was higher among senior students; those at 3rd year with AOR=5 (95% CI=2.13, 10.25), those at 4th year with AOR=4.92(95%CI=1.98, 12.14), compared with their junior 2nd year students.Male sex (AOR=2.1295% CI=1.89, 6. 69) and use of other drugs (11.55(3.28,40.75) were also positively associated to the use of alcohol.