[Assess the impact of the health education program prescription drugs: yes...no...maybe].
OBJECTIVE
Assess the impact of the health education program Les médicaments: Oui ... Non ... Mais! [prescription drugs: yes ... no ... maybe!] on the adoption of self-care behaviours and the proper use of prescription drugs in people aged 55 and older. This assessment is based on the theory of self-efficacy.


METHODS
Longitudinal study conducted with 563 participants. A pre-test/post-test type quasi-experimental research plan using offset groups with a control group was selected to determine the impact of the program. The data were collected via a questionnaire prior to the intervention, immediately following the intervention and one year later.


RESULTS
The study revealed that the program improves participants' knowledge regarding certain physiological phenomena and health issues associated with aging. It modifies their attitudes as health care users, enhances their sense of self-efficacy with respect to health behaviours, improves their level of preparation for interviews with the physician and pharmacist, and fosters the adoption of alternative health behaviours to complement or replace prescription drugs: stress management, physical activity, a healthy diet and sleep regimen.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows the program's short- and long-term impact on the health behaviours of participants.
Viens
Christian
C
Direction de santé publique de la Montérégie, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de la Montérégie, 1255, rue Beauregard, Longueuil, Québec J4K 2M3. c.viens@rrsss16.gouv.qc.ca
Leclerc
Gilbert
G
Moisan
Serge
S
Lebeau
Aimé
A
D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011792:Quebec; D012648:Self Care