Alcohol consumption patterns of older adults: A study in a regional town in Western Australia
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.
Keywords
Alcohol consumption, health promotion, older adults, screening
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
2017
Publication Title
Contemporary Nurse
Publisher
Routledge
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery / Edith Cowan College
RAS ID
26111
Copyright
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