Control Poly-Pharmacy: Elderly Patients’ Perception

Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan^1, , Soheir Badr-Elden², Sameer Hamdi³ and Mohamed Elsayed Aboudonya⁴

¹Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

²Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

³Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

⁴Nursing Science Teaching Specialist in Technical Health Institute of Imbaba, Egypt

Cite this paper:
Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan, Soheir Badr-Elden, Sameer Hamdi and Mohamed Elsayed Aboudonya. Control Poly-Pharmacy: Elderly Patients’ Perception. American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine. 2021; 9(3):82-88. doi: 10.12691/ajmsm-9-3-4

Abstract

Background: Poly-pharmacy has previously been recognized as a key predictor of potentially inappropriate prescription in the elderly. The number of medicines used is not always symptomatic of Poly-pharmacy since all of the prescriptions may be clinically required and acceptable for the patient; nevertheless, as the number of prescribed drugs grows, so does the likelihood of Poly-pharmacy. Aim of the study: The study aims to assess the level of knowledge regarding Poly-pharmacy among old-age patients. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Subjects & Setting: sample size was 114 elderly patients from elderly patients visiting outpatient clinics monthly. Tool: An interview questionnaire to assess geriatric patient’s Poly-pharmacy knowledge. Results: Two-thirds of the study sample (66.7%) were taking medications based on their own previous experience, 41.2% was unaware of the Poly-pharmacy definition, 36.8% didn’t know about Poly-pharmacy contributing factors, 38.5% was unaware of GIT side effects related to Poly-pharmacy, 35.9% was unaware of the Poly-pharmacy impact on their cognitive function, 29.8% didn’t know the measures that are reducing Poly-pharmacy. Conclusion: The prevalence of Poly-pharmacy and its consequences among the elderly is significantly consequent to the level of education. Recommended: Designing an educational program for the elderly to increase their awareness and knowledge about the phenomenon of drug abuse and its consequences.

Keywords:
poly-pharmacy old age knowledge

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