Determnining the frequency of use of vitamin and bioelements in the elderly with chronic disease

The study was conducted in a descriptive, cross-sectional in order to determine the frequency of use of vitamins and bioelements in the elderly with chronic diseases, their usage characteristics and the effect of sociodemographic variables on these properties.The sample group of the study consists of 260 elderly individuals registered in a Family Health Center located in Kırşehir city center. The data were summarized as number, percentage and average, and Chi-square analysis has been used for evaluations. The average age of the elderly individuals participating in the study is 69,0 ± 3,83 and 51,2% of them are women. 32,3% of the elderly use vitamins and bio-elements, 12,3% of them use bio elements, and 20,0% of them use vitamins. The bio elements used by the elderly are Calcium (4,7%), Magnesium (3,1%), Iron (1,5%), and Zinc (1,5%), respectively. Vitamins used by the elderly are Vitamin C (8,8%), Vitamin D (6,2%), and Vitamin B12 (5,0%), respectively. 12,5% of the elderly use bio elements and 13,8% use vitamins without a prescription. 18,5% of these elderly people use vitamins and bio elements to protect from diseases, and 13,8% of them use vitamins and bio elements for the treatment of their diseases. In consultation with the health personnel, the rate of using vitamins and bio element is 23,1% in the elderly. The rate of using bio element was found to be high in single women, those who spent a long part of their lives in towns, towns, and villages, those who perceived their health poorly, those who did not work, and who did not have any problems in accessing the health institution (p <0,05). The rate of using vitamins was found to be higher in elderly individuals compared to single and unemployed individuals compared to employees (p <0,05). The most important problems of the elderly in using vitamins and bio elements have been using them without a prescription and in consultation with healthcare personnel. In line with these results, the elderly should be informed about the rational use of vitamins and bio elements. Key Words: Vitamins, trace elements, chronic disease, aged.