PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF ALCOHOL USE BY OLDER ADULTS AMONG SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the public perception of alcohol use by older adults in some selected communities in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin city. This study made use of variables such as changing patterns of alcohol consumption by older adult, reasons older adults use alcohol, impact of Alcohol consumption on older adult and relationship between health advice and alcohol consumption. This study adopted a cross-sectional study design using both qualitative and quantitative research method. The study used the Taro Yamane sample formula to arrive at the total number of respondent which was 400. The study made use of both stratified random sampling technique and purposive or judgmental sampling technique. This study made use of both secondary and primary sources to gather relevant data for this study. The study revealed that the public perception towards the intake of alcohol by older adults is negative however the study also revealed that although intake of alcohol by older adults can bring about negative consequences but it also have some health benefit. It should be noted that most often than not older adult take alcohol for the following reasons; pleasure, neglect and depression. The study disconfirm the notion that older adult take alcohol for traditional reasons. The study also recommends that the federal ministry of health should take out time to educate our older adults on the dangers of consuming alcohol. There should be a policy to regulate the intake of alcohol so as to increase the life span of our older adults. The government should look into the price of alcohol. If the price of alcohol increases then the intake of alcohol by older adults will also reduce. Families should try as much as possible not to neglect the older adults in the family so as to prevent depression among the older adults which may lead to increased in alcohol intake by them.