Investigation of Medication Use in the Elders in Township Gerocomium

OBJECTIVE To provide references for improving drug usage in the elders through the investigation of medication use in Jinhua suburban township gerocomium, and to find problems of drug usage and the reasons. METHODS A questionnaire survey through a random cluster sampling was conducted among 322 elders in three Jinhua suburban township gerocomiums, which included their diseases and the use, knowledge and behavior of medication safety and influence factor of the behavior. RESULTS 43.5% of the elders had cardiovascular disorders, the drug utilization rate was 31.4% (P<0.01). 16.5% of the elders had digestive system diseases, the drug utilization rate was 9.3% (P<0.01). 3.4% of the elders had respiratory system diseases, drug utilization rate was 3.1%. 7.5% of the elders had other diseases, drug utilization rate was 1.2% (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The elders in gerocomium has poor medication compliance and problem of medication safety which need to be improved.