Rational Drug Use in Older Adults and the Influencing Factors: A cross-sectional study

Authors : İbrahim Duman, Songül Karadağ

Pages : 117-125

Doi:10.47141/geriatrik.1506076

View : 68 | Download : 57

Publication Date : 2024-08-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study was conducted to determine rational drug use in older adults and the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the geriatric outpatient clinic a university hospital between 01 April and 30 June 2022. 513 older adults were included in the scope of the study. The data were collected through face-to-face interview method using the Older Adults Information Form and the Rational Drug Use Scale. Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Mann Whitney U Test, Kruskal Wallis Test and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used to assess the data. Results: In the study, it was determined that the mean age of the older adults was 70.87±5.95 and their Rational Drug Use Scale mean score was 34.69±4.60. In addition, it was determined that the average of daily medicines taken by the older adults was 4.07±3.29 and 45% of them were polypharmacy. It was found that the older adults who had a bachelor’s degree or higher education level, were living in the city centre, were taking drugs continuously and were using the prescribed drug for the recommended time had a higher Rational Drug Use Scale mean score (p<0.05). There was a low level of positive correlation between the number of drugs taken by the older adults and their Rational Drug Use Scale score. (r=0.282, p=0.048). Conclusion: It was determined that the older adults had an insufficient level of knowledge about rational drug use. In this sense, it is recommended to plan training programmes by evaluating the levels of older adults’ knowledge about rational drug use at regular intervals.
Keywords : Akılcı İlaç Kullanımı, Polifarmasi, Etkileyen Faktörler, Hemşirelik, Yaşlı Yetişkinler