Conn V S
School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia.
Public Health Nurs. 1992 Mar;9(1):29-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.1992.tb00069.x.
Older adults' use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications is usually a self-initiated behavior that may have important health consequences. A sample of 186 adults age 65 years and over was interviewed to describe their use of 16 OTC substances and their management of the most commonly used OTC medications. Subjects reported using almost twice as many OTC as prescription medications. A structured interview format elicited subjects' self-reports of decisions, judgments, and actions used to manage aspirins, laxatives, antacids, and vitamins. Most reported using the specific OTC preparations often. Health care providers were common but not exclusive sources of information about these products; few subjects acknowledged being influenced by advertisements. Although subjects' reported dosages and scheduling of agents were judged appropriate by nurses, some overuse of laxatives was noted, together with some continuation of laxative and antacid administration for excessive lengths of time for persisting symptoms. Few subjects identified precautions associated with the OTC medications. Questions were raised about older adults' perceptions regarding vitamin use for particular symptoms. The results of the study indicate the need for educational programs for older adults and further research about OTC substance use among these individuals.
老年人使用非处方药（OTC）通常是一种自主行为，可能会产生重要的健康后果。对186名65岁及以上的成年人进行了抽样访谈，以描述他们对16种非处方药的使用情况以及对最常用非处方药的管理方式。受试者报告称，他们使用的非处方药数量几乎是处方药的两倍。采用结构化访谈形式，获取了受试者关于管理阿司匹林、泻药、抗酸剂和维生素所做决策、判断及采取行动的自我报告。大多数人报告经常使用特定的非处方药制剂。医疗保健提供者是这些产品信息的常见但并非唯一来源；很少有受试者承认受到广告影响。尽管护士认为受试者报告的药物剂量和服用时间安排是合适的，但仍发现一些人过度使用泻药，还有一些人因症状持续而长时间持续服用泻药和抗酸剂。很少有受试者识别出与非处方药相关的注意事项。针对老年人对特定症状使用维生素的认知提出了疑问。研究结果表明，需要为老年人开展教育项目，并对这些人群使用非处方药的情况进行进一步研究。
