The Psychological Determinants of Self-Medication among the Elderly: An Explanation Based on the Health Belief Model

Introduction: Self-medication is one of the problems in the treatment cycle of patients. Aging is associated with increased drug use and adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing self-medication among the elderly referring to urban health centers in Khorramabad, Iran, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in 2016-2017. &nbsp;Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 137 elderly individuals over 60 in Khorramabad. The participants were selected using the multistage sampling method. Data collection instruments included a questionnaire designed based on the HBM and a self-medication checklist. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, descriptive statistical tests, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression. Results: Among the constructs of the HBM, perceived severity alone could predict 31 percent of the self-medication behaviors, and perceived severity plus barriers could predict 40 percent of the self-medication behaviors. The overall prevalence of self-medication among the elderly was 39.4%. The most common reason for self-medication was previous experiences with self-medications (59.8%). Additionally, there were significant relationships among the constructs of HBM with the favorable practice of the elderly regarding self-medication (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicated that perceived severity and barriers play a more crucial role in the development of self-care behaviors regarding self-medication among the elderly. &nbsp;