An evaluation of elderly people's understanding of pharmacotherapy among those treated in the Primary Healthcare System in Belo Horizonte, Brazil/ Avaliacao da compreensao da farmacoterapia entre idosos atendidos na Atencao Primaria a Saude de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.(articulo en portuguese )

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2016-11, Vol.21 (11), p.3469
• Main Authors: Pinto, Isabela Vaz Leite, Reis, Adriano Max Moreira, Almeida-Brasil, Celline Cardoso, da Silveira, Micheline Rosa, Lima, Marina Guimaraes, Ceccato, Maria das Gracas Braga
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• ISSN: 1413-8123; 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320152111.19812015

There are a greater number of elderly people with diseases which has led to a greater use in medication and complexity in pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to understand the level of understanding on pharmacotherapy amongst the elderly and associated factors. An analytical transversal study was carried out in the Primary Health Care Units. Sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics relative to the use of medication were explored. The level of understanding was obtained after a concordance analysis had been done based on the responses from the interviewees and the information on the medical prescriptions such as: name of medication, dosage, frequency, indication, precautions and side effects. The global level of understanding was classified as insufficient in cases where the discordance was [greater than or equal to] 30%. Of the 227 elderly people interviewed, 51.1% showed an insufficient understanding in relation to their medication. We carried out multivariate logistic regression to observe the factors associated with an understanding of pharmacotherapy. We noted that those with a low level of education and a dependency on the use of medication showed insufficient understanding. (p < 0,05). It is necessary to implement strategies to increase the quality of the guidance given to the elderly and to ensure compliance.