Social capital and alcohol consumption among adolescent: a pilot study among adolescents in Ibadan

Emmanuel Adebayo, University College Hospital, Ibadan
Olayemi Omotade, University of Ibadan
Adesola Sangowawa, University College Hospital, Ibadan

Alcohol consumption among adolescent has been linked to several other risky behaviors such as unsafe sexual intercourse, truancy, trouble with family or at school and violence. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the different domains of social capital available to adolescents and alcohol consumption. This cross-sectional pilot was conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria. Respondents were selected via multi-stage sampling from senior secondary classes in two secondary schools in the study area. Information was obtained with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. About 25.9% of the adolescents have ever consumed alcohol, 13.5% of them are current users. All social capital domains were found to be protective against alcohol consumption except ‘network of friends’. Interventions aimed at strengthening relationships between adolescents and other social entities such as family and school might be beneficial in reducing alcohol consumption among adolescents in the study area.