Identifying hazardous alcohol consumption among the elderly in a rural community in Imo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Hazardous drinking patterns are of public health importance especially among the elderly. Interventions that target this age group are available which aims at complete cessation of alcohol consumption. This study was therefore carried out in Ifakala community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state, Nigeria to identify hazardous alcohol consumption in the elderly.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Participants were selected using convenient sampling due to the number of people aged 60 years and above. A total of 77 persons gave consent to participate in the study and were recruited. Data was collected using the AUDIT screening tool administered by the researchers. Scores from 7 to 15 were classified as hazardous alcohol use. Data is presented in frequency tables. Chi-square was used to test association between categorical variables. P-value of <0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.

Results: Among the respondents, 47 (61.0%) were males, while 30 (39.0%) were females. Majority were 60-62 years of age (41.6%) while only 7(9.1%) were 69-71 years. Sixty respondents were married, 21 (27.3%) lived with their spouse. All respondents in this study consumed alcohol in the last 12 months of the study. Males consumed more alcohol than females which was statistically significant (X2=10.82, P=0.008). AUDIT scores of 7-15 was found in 35 (45.5%) of the respondents showing they were hazardous drinkers and in zone II.

Conclusion: Hazardous alcohol use was seen among the elderly. There is need to develop programmes targeted at stopping or moderating alcohol intake in this group.