| 英文摘要 |
Purpose: High rates of comorbidity and polypharmacy are common among the middle-aged and elderly population, thus raising the risk of adverse drug events among persons without appropriate knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of medication safety. The purpose of the study is to examine the factors affecting the KAP of safe medication use among middle-aged and senior community dwellers. Methods: This cross-sectional study found its subjects in participants aged 45 year or over in the community health promotion programs in Tainan City. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 627 subjects recruited, 590 (94.1%) completed the questionnaire. Most participates were female (69.7%), elderly (53.2%), with a high school or a vocational school diploma (32.6%), unemployed (57.3%), with a monthly income lower than $20,000 (63.1%), married (97.1%), and living with spouse or immediate family (57.6%). Respectively 55.3%, 73.7%, 60.8% of the participants had chronic diseases, practiced regular exercise, and ate more than 5 kinds of vegetables and fruits daily. The medication safety KAP average scores were respectively 15.3 points (80.3%) for “knowledge,” 16.7 points (66.7%) for “attitude,” and 50.8 points (79.4%) for “practice.” 59.2% of the participants appeared to have adequate knowledge, 19.8% a positive attitude, and 51.7% proper practice of medication safety. Adequate knowledge of medication safety was significantly associated with younger age, dietary supplement use, and higher personal income. Positive attitude toward safe medication use was significantly associated with adequate knowledge and use of no Chinese/herbal remedies. Positive attitude, regular exercise, and use of no dietary supplement were independently associated with appropriate practice of medication safety. Conclusion: With respect to safe medication use among middle-aged and elderly community dwellers, knowledge appears to be significantly associated with attitude which in turn is significantly related to practice. The study results indicate a general lack of adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and proper practice concerning medication safety in the interviewed participants. Health personnel still need to develop more effective education programs and teaching strategies to improve safe medication use in the middle-aged and elderly population. |
