Swathi H. N1, Aubrey Franco2, Dan Issac3, Charanya S4, Mend Manoj Kumar5, B. Ramakrishna Goud6
BACKGROUND
The population of elderly persons in India is the second largest in the world and is steadily growing. Although alcohol and tobacco problems are often under reported, their use remains common among older persons. Cessation of their use can reduce the incidence of cardio-vascular, pulmonary or malignant diseases, and prevent substance-induced problems.1
OBJECTIVES
The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco usage in the elderly in few villages of Bangalore Urban District.
METHODS
A Study was conducted over the period of 2 months in the calendar year 2014 on a sample of 295 people belonging to 14 villages under two sub centers. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaires (CAGE, SMAST-G, AUDIT and Fagerstroms). The collected data was analysed. Our inclusion criteria >60 years, exclusion criteria were elders with cognitive defects and sensorineural deafness and bed ridden patients.
RESULTS
Among 295 subjects, 28.84 % of them used alcohol, 6.5% of females used alcohol. 15.5% of males of 33.3% of females out of them were found to be dependent on alcohol. 47.13% of males used tobacco and 47.11% of females used tobacco or tobacco products.
Reasons for usage were to forget their problems or losses or due to loneliness. Many of them skipped meals, had tremors or sustained injuries to themselves or others because of their drinking.
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of alcohol use was 18.3% and that of alcohol dependence 15.5%. Prevalence of tobacco usage was 47.11%, prevalence of high dependency tobacco was 22%.
