Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study
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 thi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/6/701 |
| _version_ | 1797484647649640448 |
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| author | Ryuichi Ohta Yoshinori Ryu Chiaki Sano |
| author_facet | Ryuichi Ohta Yoshinori Ryu Chiaki Sano |
| author_sort | Ryuichi Ohta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:07:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fda993eddaf5453583fb93e14a79c328 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:07:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-fda993eddaf5453583fb93e14a79c3282023-11-23T17:51:04ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442022-05-0158670110.3390/medicina58060701Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional StudyRyuichi Ohta0Yoshinori Ryu1Chiaki Sano2Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 699-1221 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, JapanCommunity Care, Unnan City Hospital, 699-1221 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, JapanDepartment of Community Medicine Management, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya cho, Izumo 693-8501, JapanSelf-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.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/6/701community carecomprehensive carehelp-seekingJapanolder adultsquality of life |
| spellingShingle | Ryuichi Ohta Yoshinori Ryu Chiaki Sano Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study Medicina community care comprehensive care help-seeking Japan older adults quality of life |
| title | Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full | Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_fullStr | Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_short | Association between Self-Medication for Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Rural Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_sort | association between self medication for mild symptoms and quality of life among older adults in rural japan a cross sectional study |
| topic | community care comprehensive care help-seeking Japan older adults quality of life |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/6/701 |
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