Educational Actions on the Frequent use of Psychotropic Drugs in Older Adults
Sandra Nuñez Mora*, Maydell Pérez Inerarity, Yamila Roque Doval and Berta Lucrecia Yera Jaramillo
Published: December 12, 2022
Abstract
Introduction: Older adults are the population group that consumes most medications and the most susceptible to adverse reactions from psychotropic drugs.
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a system of educational actions aimed to the frequent use of psychotropic drugs in older adults
Methodological design: A community intervention study was carried out aimed at older adults who belong to the Family Medical Office # 22.25 in "Mariana Grajales" community, in Cifuentes municipality within the years 2019 and 2020. Theoretical methods were used: historical-logical, analysis-synthesis, inductive-deductive and systemic-structural; Empirical: documentary analysis and to assess the proposal, the criteria of specialists. In addition, mathematical-statistical methods were used.
Results: The diagnosis made demonstrated the need for changes in the use of psychotropic drugs and information in the older adults studied, for which structured educational actions were designed in five themes: psychotropic drugs, risk factors and complications of psychoactive drug use, adverse reactions of psychotropic drugs, diet and healthy lifestyles and treatment of comorbidities. The proposal was valued by specialists as updated, contributing, transcendental and viable.
Conclusions: The educational actions were effective in reducing the use of psychotropic drugs in the investigated older adults, achieving an acquisition of knowledge in relation to this topic once implemented.
Keywords: psychoactive drugs; Elderly; Associated factors; chronic diseases; self medication