1. [Use of medication by the elderly in urban and rural areas in southern Brazil: a population-based study].
- Author
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Dal Pizzol Tda S, Pons Eda S, Hugo FN, Bozzetti MC, Sousa Mda L, and Hilgert JB
- Subjects
- Age Distribution, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brazil, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Quality of Life, Sex Distribution, Socioeconomic Factors, Pharmaceutical Preparations administration & dosage, Polypharmacy, Rural Population statistics & numerical data, Urban Population statistics & numerical data
- 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.
- Published
- 2012
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