Citation

Yu C CB, Rojas A V, Zalaquett MR, Torres S R, Ramírez C C, Román O F, Carrasco Gorman M, Gac E H, Valderrama C S, Marín L PP. Rev. Med. Chile 2014; 142(12): 1517-1522.

Vernacular Title

Consumo de alcohol en el adulto mayor chileno que viaja.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Sociedad Medica De Santiago)

DOI

10.4067/S0034-98872014001200004

PMID

25693433

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Problems associated with alcohol consumption are prevalent in Chile, but little is known about the situation in the elderly.

AIM: To perform a screening to detect alcohol-related problems and risks in the Chilean older people who travel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire was answered by 1,076 travelers aged 60 to 93 years (66% females), who participated in trips organized by the Chilean National Tourism Service (SERNATUR).

RESULTS: Seventy six percent of respondents acknowledged to have ingested an alcoholic drink during the last month. The average AUDIT score was of 2.2 ± 2.6. Only 3.7% of the sample had a score equal or higher than eight, considered as risky use. Within this last group, 60% had symptoms of alcohol dependence. A higher alcohol consumption was associated with male gender (p < 0.01), being younger than 75 years of age (p < 0.01), having a medium-low economic income (p < 0.01) and having a higher education level (p = 0.03). There was no significant association with the respondents´ occupation.

CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of Chilean traveling older people, there was a high prevalence of alcohol consumption, and nearly 4% of respondents had alcohol related problems.

Language: es