Volume 16, Issue 1 (Spring (COVID-19 and Older Adults) 2021)                   Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2021, 16(1): 112-127 | Back to browse issues page


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1- Department of Nursing, Aging Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
2- Department of Anesthesiology, Student Research Committee, School of Paramedics, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
3- Department of Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
4- Vasei Hospital, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.
5- Department of Biostatistics, Student Research Committee, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
6- Department of Operating Room, Aging Research Center, School of Paramedics, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Iran. , borzoee75026@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (4500 Views)
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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Type of Study: Research | Subject: gerontology
Received: 2020/06/07 | Accepted: 2021/01/31 | Published: 2021/04/01

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