Late-life drinking and smoking in primary care users in Brazil

Author(s)

Paula, Tassiane C. S. ; Chagas, Camila ; Henrique, Amanda E. G. ; Vargas, Rafael C. ; Noto, Ana Regina ; Ferri, Cleusa P.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AGING & MENTAL HEALTH; v. N/A, p. 6-pg., 2022-02-08.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of at-risk drinking and smoking and associated factors among older adults in primary care in Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional study carried out in seven primary care units with 503 older adults (60+), in a city in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. At-risk drinking was defined by AUDIT-C and by consumption of units per week. Poisson regression was used to assess the association between the sociodemographic and health characteristics and smoking and at-risk drinking. Results: The median age of the 503 participants was 69.6 (SD +/- 6.7; range:60-93). One third of participants (33.6%) were current drinkers, 16% were at-risk drinkers (AUDIT-C), 4% at-risk drinkers (units per week), and 13% of the sample were regular smokers. The prevalence of at-risk drinking (AUDIT-C) was higher for males (RP: 4.89; 95% CI: 2.52-9.49) and for those with higher levels of education (RP: 1,861.85 95% CI: 1.08-3.14), and lower for those over the age of 70 (RP: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.30-0.84). The prevalence of smoking was higher for those with depressive symptoms (RP: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.03-3.66), and lower for those over age 70 (RP: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29-0.94). Conclusion: The results point to a set of factors associated with at-risk drinking (being male, younger and having a higher education), and with smoking (being younger and having depressive symptoms). Our findings could help health professionals to identify at-risk drinkers and smokers, as well as support strategies for future interventions by the identification of the groups most vulnerable to these behaviors. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/15304-1 - Effectiveness evaluation of the strategies for reducing risk of alcohol consumption among older people
• Grantee: Amanda Elisa Graciolli Henrique
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 15/19472-5 - Innovative interventions related to alcohol consumption problems in Brazil: search for new approaches aimed at an old public health issue
• Grantee: Ana Regina Noto
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/17665-1 - Effectiveness evaluation of the strategies for reducing risk of alcohol consumption among older people
• Grantee: Rafael Cardoso Vargas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation