Use of medication by the elderly in urban and rural areas in southern Brazil: A population-based study

Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol, Emilia da Silva Pons, Fernando Neves Hugo, Mary Clarisse Bozzetti, Maria da Luz Rosário de Sousa, Juliana Balbinot Hilgert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The study aimed to measure use of medication and polypharmacy among the elderly in Carlos Barbosa, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and to compare socio-demographic, economic, and health characteristics in relation to area of residence (urban versus rural) in a random sample of 811 persons 60 year of age or older. Interviews were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, chronic illnesses, and self-reported use of medications. The association between area of residence and medication or polypharmacy was adjusted for confounders using Poisson regression with robust variance. Prevalence rates for use of medication and polypharmacy were higher among older persons living in the urban area. Living in the urban area was positively and independently associated with use of medication (PR = 1.10; 95%CI: 1.02-1.20) and polypharmacy (PR = 1.83; 95%CI: 1.27-2.65) in this group of elderly in southern Brazil.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)104-114
Number of pages11
JournalCadernos de saude publica
Volume28
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012

Keywords

  • Aged
  • Drug utilization
  • Health services accessibility
  • Rural health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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