title: [Assess the impact of the health education program prescription drugs: yes...no...maybe].
abstract: 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.
authors: 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
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Viens
authors: Gilbert
authors: G
authors: Leclerc
authors: Serge
authors: S
authors: Moisan
authors: Aimé
authors: A
authors: Lebeau
mesh_terms: D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011792:Quebec; D012648:Self Care