Risk factors associated with consumption of alcohol among Turkish older men and women

Objectives This study aims to examine the factors associated with alcohol use among individuals aged 60 and above in Türkiye.Methods The microdata obtained from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI) in 2019 and 2022 were used in this study. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify variables associated with alcohol use in older adults.Results The analysis revealed that gender, age, education level, employment status, marital status, health condition, lung disease, history of heart attack, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, difficulty in carrying or holding items, and tobacco use significantly influence alcohol use among older individuals.Conclusion The study concludes that older males are at a higher risk of alcohol use. It is recommended to develop preventive health programs tailored to address the specific reasons for alcohol initiation and use among men. Aging is a period characterized by reduced activity in both work and social life due to retirement, leading some older individuals to turn to alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism. To promote active aging, it is suggested that the number of senior clubs and elderly solidarity centers affiliated with municipalities should be increased.