Determination of rational drug use and affecting factors in elderly individuals

This study was carried out to determine rational drug use (RDU) and affecting factors in elderly individuals. The study was carried out between 01 April and 30 June 2022 in Geriatrics Polyclinic of Mersin University Hospital. 513 elderly individuals were included in this study. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method using the Elderly Information Form and the Rational Drug Use Scale (RDUS). Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Mann Withney U Test, Kruskal Wallis Test and Spearman's correlation analysis were used to evaluate the data. In the study, it was determined that the mean age of the elderly individuals was 70.87±5.95, and the mean RDUS score was 34.69±4.60. In addition, it was found that the average of the RDUS score of the elderly individuals who have undergraduate and higher education level, live in the city center, use drugs constantly and use the prescribed drug for the recommended time was found to be higher (p<0.05). In the study, it was determined that there was a low level of positive correlation between the number of drugs used by elderly individuals and the RDUS score (r=0.282, p=0.48). As a result, it has been concluded that the knowledge level of elderly individuals about RDU is insufficient. It has been determined that the undergraduate and higher education level and the living place affect the RDU. In this direction, it has been suggested to plan training programs by evaluating the knowledge levels of elderly individuals about RDU at regular intervals