Old age and alcoholism in rural Tanzania exploration of alcohol consumption in Mbinga District

This study explored alcohol drinking behaviors among elderly population in rural Tanzania. In order to achieve the main objective the study was guided by four specific objectives which are; determining the pattern of alcohol consumption among elderly people in Mbinga District; identifying social factors which influence the population with age 50 and above to engage in the health risk behaviors of alcohol use and abuse in rural areas, examining ageing population and community knowledge on health risk associated with alcohol consumption in old age, and assessing the implications of experiences of the given population on ageing and alcohol problems. The study was conducted in Mbinga District in Ruvuma Region – Tanzania, where the target population was reached. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. Methods of data collection and generation were self administered questionnaire, interviews and focused group discussion. The study has revealed that alcohol drinking by elderly population rotates on social environment lived by people whose dynamic pattern of interaction reflect their drinking patterns and related risks. Alcohol consumption in this elderly population is also a reflection of experiences based on different social economic and psychosocial challenges like poverty and life hardships, marital challenges, idleness and loneliness, which are components of their social environment. Alcohol drinking behaviors however are the only alternative for recreation in the context of social practices and have been performed with ignorance and negligence of alcohol health threats. This is due to the fact that, in spite of being aware of alcohol health threats they can hardly identify them. Thus, harmonization between factors that perpetuate poverty and inadequate knowledge on risk health behaviors like alcohol drinking for elderly people is vital and sufficient for social protection of old age people in rural Tanzania.