Alcohol consumption in late-life — The first Brazilian National Alcohol Survey (BNAS)

ABSTRACT To investigate the alcohol consumption in later life in Brazil and its association with socio-demographic characteristics. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative survey data. A multistage cluster sampling procedure was used to select 3007 individuals of 14 ye...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Addictive behaviors 2008-12, Vol.33 (12), p.1598-1601
Main Authors: Castro-Costa, E, Ferri, C.P, Lima-Costa, M.F, Zaleski, M, Pinsky, I, Caetano, R, Laranjeira, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - physiology
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Alcohol use
Alcoholism - diagnosis
Brazil - epidemiology
Cluster Analysis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Demographics
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Elderly
Ethanol - poisoning
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Older people
Prevalence
Psychiatry
Qualitative research
Social research
Socioeconomic Factors
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Summary:ABSTRACT To investigate the alcohol consumption in later life in Brazil and its association with socio-demographic characteristics. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative survey data. A multistage cluster sampling procedure was used to select 3007 individuals of 14 years of age and older from the Brazilian household population. In this study we analyzed data from all 400 participants who were over 60 years old. Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Syndrome was established according to DSM-IV and Risky Drinking was defined in two ways: heavy drinkers (> 7 drinks/week) and as binge drinkers (> 3 drinks/one occasion). Twelve percent of participants reported heavy drinking behavior while 10.4% and 2.9% were binge drinkers and alcohol dependent respectively. In the adjusted logistic regression only gender was associated with heavy drinking behavior. Males, the youngest and the wealthiest were more likely to report binge drinking behaviors. In conclusion, alcohol related-problems are common but underecognized among older adults. Health professionals should be aware that common definitions of alcohol abuse and dependence may not apply as readily to older people, who have had biological changes for alcohol tolerance and its effects on the Central Nervous System.
ISSN:0306-4603
1873-6327
DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2008.07.004