Medication Use Status and Its Related Factors among Older Adults in Kerman, Iran

Introduction: Older adults are the largest group of medication users in each society. Since medications act differently in seniors compared with younger patients, great considerations are required regarding the effects and side effects of medications in the older adults. The present study aimed to determine the status of medication use and its related factors among older adults in Kerman city, Iran. Methods: In the cross-sectional study, ۳۸۸ seniors were selected using multistage cluster sampling from the population covered by comprehensive health centers in Kerman in ۲۰۲۱. Demographic information questions (age, gender, education level, marital status, life status, substance abuse, income, and health insurance status), a question regarding medication usage status and a question regarding disease that the elderly are currently suffering from, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Sleep Disorder Questionnaire were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using SPSS software by running Chi-square and multiple logistic regression tests. Results: The average number of medications used per day was ۴.۵۹ and ۵۳.۵% of the participants used five or more medications concomitantly. Antihypertensive medications had the highest prevalence (۶۴.۳%) followed by anti-hyperlipidemic (۴۳.۶%) and Supplements (۴۱.۳%). A significant correlation was found between the participants' frequency of medication use and their gender, income, primary insomnia, and cognitive impairment (p < ۰.۰۰۱). However, medication use had no significant association with the senior's age, marital status, education level, living status, substance abuse, and health insurance (p < ۰.۰۵). The risk of polypharmacy was ۲.۱۵ times higher in the elderly women than men (p = ۰.۰۰۱) and ۰.۴۵ times higher in participants with depression than non-depressed seniors (p = ۰.۰۱۱). Conclusion: The high prevalence of polypharmacy indicates an unfavorable status of medication use among older adults in Kerman. So, authorities are required to provide educational information about polypharmacy to aged groups.

کلیدواژه ها:

Medication Use ، Polypharmacy ، Aging ، Kerman