Assessment of self-medication of the elderly in urban care homes by using health Belief model

Self-medication is a major public health concern worldwide, especially in developing countries where higher rate of resistant bacterial infections persist. The purpose this study was to evaluation HBM Structures to Self-medication Behavior among Elderly. This was a descriptive cross sectional study that was carried out on 180 elderly of Zarandieh city. The samples were selected randomly from 4 health center. Data collection tool was a questionnaire designed based on HBM model and self-medication. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, and with chi-squares, logistic regression. The mean age of respondents was 66.2 ± 4.9 years. Self-medication was the most prevalent among the 60-64 year old and less prevalent among those above 70 years of age. There was a significant relationship, among self-medication, History of chronic diseases, Knowledge, self efficacy, severity, perceived benefits and barriers, and in total 99.4% of elderly kept drugs at home. It is suggested that the findings of present study be used as a basis for interventions designed to behavior change and reduce of self-medication. Keyword: self-medication, Health Belief Model, Elderly