scholarly journals Self-medication among participants of an Open University of the Third Age and associated factors

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-427
Author(s):  
Adriana Nancy Medeiros dos Santos ◽  
Dulcinéia Rebecca Cappelletti Nogueira ◽  
Caroline Ribeiro de Borja-Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Open University ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Third Age ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
The Third ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Articular Pain

Abstract Objective: to identify the prevalence of self-medication, the therapeutic classes used without medical prescription, the symptoms treated with such medication and associated factors among participants of an Open University of the Third Age (OU3A). Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was carried out, the sample of which was composed of 138 OU3A attendees. To estimate the association between the variables, prevalence ratios (PR), confidence intervals (95% CI), the chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used. Results: the majority were aged 60-69 years (61.6%), were female (75.4%), had a health plan (63%) and claimed to self-medicate (59.4%, 95% CI, 0-64.8). The most frequently mentioned therapeutic classes were analgesics (31.9%), muscle relaxants (13.8%), anti-inflammatories (13.0%) and first-generation antihistamines (7.2%). The most commonly reported self-medication symptoms were muscle and joint pain (21.0%), headaches (10.1%) and colds and flu (8.7%). There was a significant association (p = 0.049) among those who self-medicated more frequently and anti-inflammatory use (PR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.10-1.99). The complaint of muscular and articular pain exhibited a significant association with the diagnosis of arthrosis (p = 0.003, RP = 3.75, 95% CI = 2.07-6.76) and hypothyroidism (p = 0.002, RP = 2.77 ; 95% CI = 1.50-5.10). Conclusion: the most frequently mentioned reasons for self-medicating were previous experience using the drug and the certainty that it is safe. Most of the above medications are potentially inappropriate for the elderly. However, the elderly consider them safe and are unaware of the risks to which they expose them. They may also be unaware that pain treated by self-medication may be related to pre-existing diseases, which require the appropriate professional and treatment.

scholarly journals Self-medication and adherence to drug treatment: assessment of participants of the Universidade do Envelhecer (the University of Aging) program

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 691-700
Author(s):  
Antonio Leonardo de Freitas Garcia ◽  
Andréia Naomi Madoz Kaya ◽  
Eduardo Antonio Ferreira ◽  
Eliana Fortes Gris ◽  
Dayani Galato
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Aging Program ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
The University ◽  
Continuous Use

Abstract Objectives : to evaluate the use of medication (for continuous use and self-medication) and adherence to treatment among elderly and non-elderly participants of the Universidade do Envelhecer (UniSer). Method : an observational, quantitative and cross-sectional study, using the interview technique, was carried out at UniSer with 215 subjects. A structured instrument was used for the collection of sociodemographic variables and self-medication data. The 1986 Morisky-Green-Levine Scale (MGL) and the Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) regimen screening tool were used to assess adherence. Descriptive analyzes of the data were performed, and the chi-squared Test and Fisher’s Exact Test were applied to evaluate the association between variables of interest. Results : of the participants, 127 (59.1%) were elderly (< 60 years old), of whom 81.9% were women. Regarding self-medication, 22.9% of elderly and 21.7% of non-elderly persons practiced it in the previous seven days (p=0.848), even if they considered it dangerous (p=0.472). A total of 45.8% of the elderly and 55.6% of the non-elderly irrationally self-medicated within the analyzed period, while 76.4% of the elderly and 64.8% of the non-elderly used medications of continuous use (p=0.063). A total of 78.8% of the elderly and 76.1% of the non-elderly were not adherent to treatment (p=0.719) according to the MGL scale, while the BMQ Regimen Screen found that 36.7% of the elderly and 41.1% of the non-elderly were not adherent (p=0.595). Conclusion : these findings demonstrate that there were no significant differences between the groups studied and health education actions should be carried out with an emphasis on guidelines on adherence and the rational use of medicines.

scholarly journals Depressive symptoms in elderly participants of an open university for elderly

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samila Sathler Tavares Batistoni ◽  
Tiago Nascimento Ordonez ◽  
Thaís Bento Lima da Silva ◽  
Priscila Pascarelli Pedrico do Nascimento ◽  
Priscilla Tiemi Kissaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Open University ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third ◽  
The University

Abstract Although the prevalence of depressive disorders among the elderly is lower than among the younger population, the presence of significant symptoms of depression is common in this group. Studies report that participation in social, educational and leisure activities is related to fewer depressive symptoms in this population. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression among elderly participants of an Open University for the Third Age, in terms of the time studying. Methods: The study had a cross-sectional design and the participation of 95.2% (n=184) of total enrollers in the first half of 2010 on the activities of the Third Age Open University's School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo. All participants answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Results: An association between studying time of over one semester at the University of the Third Age and a lower rate of depressive symptoms, was observed. Conclusion: Study time of over one semester was associated with less depressive symptoms, acting as a possible protective factor against depression.

scholarly journals Central adiposity among elderly women in a gerontology-geriatric unit

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 787-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marla Caroline Martins de Souza ◽  
Soraya Silva Nóbrega ◽  
Marilia Tokilko Oliveira Tomiya ◽  
Ilma Kruze Grande de Arruda ◽  
Alcides da Silva Diniz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Central Adiposity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Waist Size ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Geriatric Unit ◽  
Chi Squared

Abstract Objective: To evaluate central adiposity in elderly women in a gerontology-geriatric care unit of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (the Federal University of Pernambuco). Method: A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 182 elderly women, aged from 60 to 89 years, who received care from January to July 2011, was performed. The variables analyzed were the socio-economic and demographic conditions, lifestyle, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) of the women, as well as the occurrence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and high total cholesterol levels. Yates' chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were applied. A significance rate of 5% was adopted for the rejection of the null hypothesis. Results: Of the elderly women surveyed 82.4% had a WC signifying a large waist size, 57.2% were over-weight, 78.3% presented hypercholesterolemia, 63.2% had hypertension and 23.6% had diabetes. 61.5% were aged between 60 and 69 years old; 56% received up to two minimum salaries; 63.5% had less than eight years of schooling, 74.7% stated that they did not smoke, 87.9% did not drink alcohol; and 51.4 had sedentary habits. An association was observed between BMI and central adiposity (CA) (p=0.000). CA tended to be present around 1.2 times more frequently in elderly women with excess weight than among those who were not overweight. Conclusion: The high frequency of central adiposity and overweight indicates the susceptibility of this population to these factors. While no association with cardiovascular risk factors was observed, there is a clear need for monitoring by a multidisciplinary team, so as to identify and treat this debilitating condition, thereby contributing to the quality of life of this population.

scholarly journals Benzodiazepine use and associated factors in elderly in the city of Dourados, MS, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Dias dos Anjos Cunha ◽  
Maria Cristina Corrêa de Souza ◽  
Graziella Almeida Andrade Cattanio ◽  
Stephanie Ramirez Iahnn ◽  
Rosangela da Costa Lima
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Benzodiazepine Use ◽  
Chi Square Test

ABSTRACT Objective The use of benzodiazepines (BZD) and associated factors in the elderly of Dourados, MS, Brazil was investigated. Methods This is a cross-sectional population-based study using a multistage sampling design. Participants were 1,022 individuals aged ≥ 60 years. Measurements socioeconomic status, schooling, demographic aspects, marital status, physical activity, hospitalizations, self-rated health, use of alcohol beverages and smoking were assessed by standard questionnaire. The drugs used were obtained by checking the prescription or package and classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Index. Chi-square test, Chi-square for linear tendency, Fisher's exact test and Poisson regression were used to assess association between variables. Results The prevalence of use of BZD was 6.5% (CI95%: 5.1-8.2%). The oldest group (PR: 1.60 for 70-79 years and PR: 1.79 for ≥ 80 years), non-use of alcohol (PR: 4.14) and use of antidepressants (PR: 8.73) were the statistically associated characteristics. Conclusions The prevalence of use of BZD in the study population was low, similar to findings of more recent Brazilian studies and lower than those obtained in international studies. The prevalence of use of BZD increased with aging and use of antidepressants.

scholarly journals The Analysis of Nutritional Habits of the Third Age Students in Poznań

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Magdalena Pracka ◽  
Marcin Dziedziński ◽  
Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Nutritional Habits ◽  
Third Age ◽  
Waist To Hip Ratio ◽  
The Third

AbstractIn recent years have seen increasing percentage of the elderly in the overall population. This has driven the attention to the lifestyle factors that influence the health and quality of life of this social group, including their nutrition and physical activity. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a valuable platform for the dissemination and broadening of the knowledge related to these topics. The nutritional habits of 61 U3A students in Poznań were evaluated on the basis of a modified KomPAN questionnaire. Their nutritional status was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) indices. Nearly half of the respondents were overweight and 16% had first degree obesity. The WHR index in women was on average 0.8, while in men it was 1.01. Only 13% of the students declared regular eating, with 60% consuming 4-5 meals a day. Women were found to eat snacks between meals more often than men. It was also found that the majority of the elderly do not add salt to ready meals or sweeten beverages with sugars. Taking into account the observed nutritional problems and the occurrence of improper eating habits of the elderly, it is recommended to continue the education on the prevention of common diet-related diseased.

scholarly journals Prevalence of health services usage and associated factors in the Amazon region of Brazil: a population-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e017966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elizete A Araujo ◽  
Marcus T Silva ◽  
Tais F Galvao ◽  
Mauricio G Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physician Visits

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of healthcare use and associated factors in the Manaus metropolitan region and to describe the reasons for lack of access.DesignCross-sectional population-based study.SettingA survey conducted between May and August of 2015 in eight cities from Manaus metropolitan region, Amazonas, Brazil.Participants4001 adults ≥18 years of age.Primary outcomes measuresPhysician visits, dentist visits and hospitalisations in the last 12 months were the primary outcomes. Associated factors were investigated through the calculation of prevalence ratio (PR) obtained by hierarchical Poisson regression modelling.Results4001 adults were included in the study, 53% of whom were women. The self-reported prevalence of medical visits was 77% (95% CI 75% to 77%); dentist visits, 36% (95% CI 34% to 37%) and hospital admission, 7% (95% CI 6% to 7%). Physician visits were higher in women PR=1.18 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.23), the elderly PR=1.18 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.26) and people with health insurance PR=1.14 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.19). Dentist visits declined with older age PR=0.38 (95% CI 0.30 to 0.49), lower education level PR=0.62 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.74) and lower economic class PR=0.65 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.75). Hospitalisations were found to be twice as frequent for women than for men and three times as frequent among those who reported very poor health status. Among the individuals who did not receive medical attention in the previous 2 weeks, 58% reported lack of facilities or appointment unavailable and 14% reported lack of doctors.ConclusionWhile more than half visited the doctor in the last year, a lower proportion of people with socioeconomic inequities visited the dentist. Organisational and service policies are needed to increase equity in health services in the region.

scholarly journals Prevalence of self-medication in Brazil and associated factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (suppl 2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Sérgio Dourado Arrais ◽  
Maria Eneida Porto Fernandes ◽  
Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol ◽  
Luiz Roberto Ramos ◽  
Sotero Serrate Mengue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
The North ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Prevalence Ratios ◽  
Use Of Health Services

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the prevalence and associated factors regarding the use of medicines by self-medication in Brazil. METHODS This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using data from the PNAUM (National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), collected between September 2013 and February 2014 by interviews at the homes of the respondents. All people who reported using any medicines not prescribed by a doctor or dentist were classified as self-medication practitioners. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (Poisson regression) and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated in order to investigate the factors associated with the use of self-medication by medicines. The independent variables were: sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions and access to and use of health services. In addition, the most commonly consumed medicines by self-medication were individually identified. RESULTS The self-medication prevalence in Brazil was 16.1% (95%CI 15.0–17.5), with it being highest in the Northeast region (23.8%; 95%CI 21.6–26.2). Following the adjusted analysis, self-medication was observed to be associated with females, inhabitants from the North, Northeast and Midwest regions and individuals that have had one, or two or more chronic diseases. Analgesics and muscle relaxants were the therapeutic groups most used for self-medication, with dipyrone being the most consumed medicines. In general, most of the medicines used for self-medication were classified as non-prescriptive (65.5%). CONCLUSIONS Self-medication is common practice in Brazil and mainly involves the use of non-prescription medicines; therefore, the users of such should be made aware of the possible risks.

scholarly journals Undernutrition and associated factors in a Portuguese older adult community

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Luísa Moreira dos Santos ◽  
Teresa Maria de Serpa Pinto Freitas do Amaral ◽  
Nuno Pedro Garcia Fernandes Bento Borges
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Perception Of Health

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of undernutrition in older adults aged >75 years living in communities and to identify the main factors independently associated with undernutrition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random sample of family physicians' medical records of 86 older adults aged >75 years living in the community studied. Their nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment. RESULTS: A total of 10.5% of the elderly were undernourished and 41.9% were at undernutrition risk. According to the logistic regression multivariable model, the following characteristics: being widowed (OR=6.7; 95%CI=1.8-24.6); being institutionalized (OR=12.6; 95%CI=1.7-90.5); or having a negative self-perception of health (OR=15.0; 95%CI=3.3-69.1) were independently associated with a significant increase of undernutrition risk. CONCLUSION: The current study shows that undernutrition is highly prevalent in Portuguese older adults aged >75 years living in communities. The major factors independently associated with their undernutrition are being widowed and institutionalized and having negative self-perception of health. The results obtained show that undernutrition and its associated factors are very serious problems for older adults and a challenge in their health care.

scholarly journals Future Living Arrangement for Aging Parents and Its Associated Factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahmi Setiyani ◽  
Made Sumarwati ◽  
Dian Ramawati
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Family Type ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test

Background: Shift in demographic structure in Indonesia has raised concern over number of issues, including change in living arrangement of older people. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine adult children’s choice of future living arrangement for elderly parent and its associated factors. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 300 young adults in Central Java, Indonesia. Descriptive statistics, Chi-Square and Fisher exact test were used to analyze the data. Results: Majority of respondents (97.3%) preferred parents to live at home, in multi-generational household with children and/or grandchildren (84.5%) in their old age. The choice was significantly influenced by children gender, marital status of parent, and family type (p=0.00; p=0.05, and p=0.05 respectively). Conclusions: In certain circumstances, living in multigenerational household still became a favorable option of living arrangement for elderly parents. Children gender, parent’s marital status and family type were likely to influence the choice. Further researches are needed to investigate which best living arrangement that support older people well-being.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Factors Related to Self-Medication for COVID-19 Prevention in the Elderly

Salmand ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-127
Author(s):  
Narjes Heshmatifar ◽  
◽  
Arezoo Davarinia Motlagh Quchan ◽  
Zohreh Mohammadzadeh Tabrizi ◽  
Leila Moayed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Major Factors

Objectives: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis and health outcomes are among the major human social events of the 21st century. The unknown nature of the disease and the fear of contagion have caused emotional reactions, including the self-consumption of drugs in the elderly. Therefore, this study investigated factors affecting the self-consumption of drugs for COVID-19 prevention in the elderly. Methods & Materials: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed on 342 elderly in Sabzevar City, Iran, in 2020. The research units were selected as clusters from 16 health centers. The necessary data were collected by an online self-medication questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS. Results: The Mean±SD age of the study participants was 66.2±5.67 years. The frequency of self-medication to prevent COVID-19 was 190(55.5%); analgesics, vitamins, anti-cold, and antibiotics were the most common drugs used. The major factors associated with self-medication in the COVID-19 pandemic were disease prevention, home quarantine, financial problems, experiencing previous self-medication, and others’ advice. There was a significant relationship between self-medication and education and insurance coverage. No significant relationship was observed between gender, occupation, and marital status, and self-medication. Conclusion: Self-Medication in the COVID-19 epidemic is notable as a crisis threatening the elderly’s health. Controlling and monitoring how the drug is used is among the requirements for protection and health promotion in the elderly.

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