Published Article

                                                                                                         ABSTRACT

The study investigated the perceived alcoholic drinks consumption among adolescent male and female athletes (athletic youths) in Uyo LGA. The objectives generated were the extent of gender differentiation in alcohol consumption; the types of alcoholic drinks consumed; the regularity of alcoholic drink consumption; and the socio-agents’ influencing the young athletes in the initial and current alcoholic drinks consumption. Four research questions and hypotheses were respectively generated. The cluster survey design was used for the four clans, and 65% of the adolescent athletes were in Offot Clan which is in the largest Clan in the State capital; 10% in Etoi Clan, 10 % in Ikono Clan and 15 % in Oku Clan. A total of 600 adolescents (300 males and 300 females) between 15 to 25 years were used. They were found in the upper secondary school and lower University classes and at the playgrounds in the Uyo metropolis. They were randomly selected for the sample size. A researcher-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data, which were treated with descriptive (mean and percentage) statistics for the research questions and Chi-square statistics for the hypotheses tested at .05 alpha probability significant level. The findings gave the conclusions that both genders to a large extent do consume alcoholic drinks while the male athletic youths significantly consumed more alcoholic drinks. There is no significant gender difference in the types of alcoholic drinks consumed among the athletic youths. However, both genders consume alcoholic wine more than beer/stout; and further more than spirits. The males significantly consume alcoholic drinks daily and about weekly more than the females. The peers significantly have greater influence on both genders in the initial and current consumption of alcoholic drinks than their parents’ influence. The study recommended among others that Governments at all levels should facilitate holding health talks and seminars on alcoholism to youths, who are the athletes. Government should tax alcoholic drinks more to turn away youths and reduce the urge for alcoholic drinks; and sales of alcoholic drinks should be regulated to adults only and hours of sales also be restricted.

KEYWORDS: Alcoholic Drinks Consumption, Adolescent Male and Female Athletes, Uyo LGA