An evaluation of elderly people's understanding of pharmacotherapy among those treated in the Primary Healthcare System in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
There are a greater number of elderly people with diseases which has led to a greater use in medication and complexity in pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to understand the level of understanding on pharmacotherapy amongst the elderly and associated factors. An analytical transversal study was carried out in the Primary Health Care Units. Sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics relative to the use of medication were explored. The level of understanding was obtained after a concordance analysis had been done based on the responses from the interviewees and the information on the medical prescriptions such as: name of medication, dosage, frequency, indication, precautions and side effects. The global level of understanding was classified as insufficient in cases where the discordance was ≥ 30%. Of the 227 elderly people interviewed, 51.1% showed an insufficient understanding in relation to their medication. We carried out multivariate logistic regression to observe the factors associated with an understanding of pharmacotherapy. We noted that those with a low level of education and a dependency on the use of medication showed insufficient understanding. (p < 0,05). It is necessary to implement strategies to increase the quality of the guidance given to the elderly and to ensure compliance.
Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte. Av. Afonso Pena 2336, Funcionários. 30130-007 Belo Horizonte MG Brasil. isabelaleitepinto@ yahoo.com.br.
Isabela Vaz Leite
IV
Pinto
Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte MG Brasil.
Adriano Max Moreira
AM
Reis
Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte MG Brasil.
Celline Cardoso
CC
Almeida-Brasil
Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte MG Brasil.
Micheline Rosa da
MR
Silveira
Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte MG Brasil.
Marina Guimarães
MG
Lima
Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte MG Brasil.
Maria das Graças Braga
MD
Ceccato
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011320:Primary Health Care
D055553:Prescription Drugs