The research aims to:

• Investigate perceptions of Pietermaritzburg students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on alcohol use and abuse, pertaining to knowledge and attitudes.

Its main objectives are to:

• To investigate students’ knowledge on alcohol use and abuse,

• To investigate students’ perceptions on what contributes to continued use and abuse of alcohol amongst the student population, and

• To explore students’ knowledge of the dangers posed by excessive alcohol use.

Research participant criteria:

• Anyone above the age of 18.

• Currently a third-year student at UKZN.

• Enrolled at the UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus.

Study procedure

This is open to all third-year students. If you are interested in participating in the study, you will be asked to participate in an in-person interview on campus that will last between 30 minutes to an hour. Please email me to indicate interest. The information you provide for contact will remain confidential. It will not be linked to your response in any way. For the sake of analysis, the interviews will be audio-recorded.

Participation is voluntary, and your answers will be kept confidential and used solely for research purposes. There are no incentives for participating.

The study has been granted exemption from ethics review by the UKZN Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (HSSREC) - 00026500.

Kindly find attached gatekeeper’s letter, ethical clearance letter, and the information sheet that outlines the study’s details.

For any additional information, please email me on 221095328@stu.ukzn.ac.za.

Your participation would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Tristan C Jagathee

221095328@stu.ukzn.ac.za

Supervisor: Ms Zamalotshwa Winlove Mncube - mncubez@ukzn.ac.za