Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Medicina (Kaunas)
; 58(6)2022 May 25.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35743965
ABSTRACT
Self-medication, a help-seeking behavior to control individual symptoms, can be promoted to prevent the overuse of medical care and improve self-management among older adults. However, evidence regarding the association between self-medication and quality of life (QOL) is lacking. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between QOL and the usage of self-medication among rural older adults. This cross-sectional study included participants older than 65 years in rural Japanese communities. Data were collected using a questionnaire regarding self-medication trends, the EQ-5D-5L to assess QOL, and a demographics questionnaire. Participants were divided into exposure and control groups based on their tendencies toward self-medication usage. Differences in the demographics between groups were adjusted using propensity score matching. Results:
The health status in the exposure group was statistically significantly better than that in the control group in the dimensions of movement, self-care, and usual activities. Conversely, the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression dimensions were not statistically significantly different. The quality of self-medication behaviors for mild symptoms can be improved with practical knowledge of and access to home remedies and over-the-counter drugs. Educational interventions and system development for better self-medication for mild symptoms and medical care for critical symptoms in rural contexts can be effective in improving QOL among rural older adults.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Qualidade de Vida
/
Nível de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article