Drug-using behaviors of the elderly living in nursing homes and community-dwellings in Manisa, Turkey

AimThe study aimed to investigate drug-taking behaviors of the elderly living in a nursing home or community dwelling and to determine the factors affecting their behaviors.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on the elderly living at homes (n = 106) or in nursing homes (n = 220) in the city center of Manisa located in the Aegean region of Turkey. The study data were collected between February 2011 and May 2011. For data collection, three survey forms were used: the socio-demographic questionnaire, the standardized mini mental test and the questionnaire which enquires drug-using behavior. The data were evaluated with SPSS for 15.00 Windows statistical package program. Data descriptive statistics were evaluated with the chi-square test, Student's t-test and logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe mean age of the whole group was 73.4 ± 6.3 (65–94). In the study group, the mean numbers of chronic diseases and medications used were 1.2 ± 0.9 (0–5) and 2.6 ± 1.8 (0–10), respectively. According to the survey results, those living in nursing homes, males and those with education higher than primary school education displayed better drug-taking behaviors than those living at home, females and those with less than primary school education, respectively.ConclusionThe appropriate use of medicine is a major problem in old age. Living at home or in a nursing home, gender and education are important factors affecting the correct use of medicine in old age.