Associations between Public Health Measure Adherence and Changes in Alcohol Use among Older Canadians During the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate associations between public health measure adherence and changes in alcohol consumption and binge drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify potential modifiers of these associations. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Baseline, Follow-Up 1, and COVID-19 Questionnaires (N=23,615). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between public health measure adherence (including self-quarantine, public gathering attendance, leaving home, mask-wearing, and handwashing) and 1) self-reported alcohol consumption changes during the first year of the pandemic 2) prospectively measured alcohol consumption changes from 2015-2018 to early pandemic (2020), and 3) prospectively measured changes in binge drinking events from 2015-2018 to early pandemic. Models were adjusted for sex, age, education, marital status, region, income, immigration status, and racial background. Results: During the first year of the pandemic, 13% (N=2,733) of participants self-reported increased alcohol use, while 13% (N=2,921) reported decreased use. Prospective measures suggested 19% (N=4,421) increased and 35% (N=7,971) decreased use, while 13% (N=1,427) increased and 18% (N=1,953) decreased binge drinking events. Compared to low public health measure adherence, high adherence was not associated with self-reported changes in alcohol use, with prospectively measured increased alcohol use, or with prospectively measured changes in binge drinking. However, high adherence was associated with higher odds of prospectively measured decreased alcohol use (aOR=1.17; 95% CI=1.05, 1.29). Conclusion: Higher public health measure adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with increased alcohol use, suggesting that adherence did not negatively impact alcohol consumption. Findings may inform public health interventions throughout future pandemics.