Alcohol consumption patterns of older adults: A study in a regional town in Western Australia
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Contemporary Nurse
Publisher
Routledge
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery / Edith Cowan College
RAS ID
26111
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to demonstrate that opportunistic health screening at health expos can provide an overall impression of alcohol consumption patterns.
Design: A repeated cross-sectional survey design, completed over a four-year period (2011–2014), was used to assess the risk of harmful alcohol consumption, within a community setting of older adults, in the South West region of Western Australia.
Methods: An alcohol screening survey (AUDIT) was used to collect data on alcohol consumption patterns on those aged 65 years and over. A total of 411 surveys were completed.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference in mean risk scores across the four years (p < .001). 6.3–22.2% of survey completers presented as ‘risky’, and a further 3.8–12.3% as ‘high risk’ in terms of alcohol consumption.
Conclusions: Opportunistic screening for alcohol consumption during health expos can aid the identification of at-risk individuals who may require further education or treatment.
DOI
10.1080/10376178.2017.1421051
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Vafeas, C., Graham, R., De Jong, G., Sharp, J., Ngune, I., & Mayes, S. (2017). Alcohol consumption patterns of older adults: A study in a regional town in Western Australia. Contemporary Nurse, 53(6), 647-657. https://doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2017.1421051