The Annals New | Pharmaco Epidemiology and Therapeutic Risk Management
home help contact us subscription past issues search current issue
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


Published Online, 10 October 2006, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1H338.
 The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 40, No. 11, pp. 1932-1938. DOI 10.1345/aph.1H338
© 2006 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
This Article
Right arrow Résumé Freely available
Right arrow Extracto Freely available
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow PDF
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Articles Ahead of Print
Right arrow [Order Reprint]
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Carrie, A. G
Right arrow Articles by Blandford, A. A
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Carrie, A. G
Right arrow Articles by Blandford, A. A

GERIATRICS

Impact of Residence on Prevalence and Intensity of Prescription Drug Use Among Older Adults

Anita G Carrie, PhD

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Ruby E Grymonpre, PharmD

Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Audrey A Blandford, BA

Research Coordinator, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

Reprints: Dr. Carrie, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3118 Dentistry/Pharmacy Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, fax 780/492-1217, acarrie{at}pharmacy.ualberta.ca

BACKGROUND: Higher levels of morbidity among older adults result in greater need for pharmaceutical products and pharmacy services compared with the need in the general population. Rural residents reportedly have reduced access to healthcare services secondary to transportation difficulties, a limited supply of healthcare workers and facilities, and financial constraints.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in the prevalence and intensity of prescription pharmaceutical use among urban and rural older adults in Manitoba, Canada.

METHODS: Participant data from the 1996/1997 Manitoba Study of Health and Aging were linked to pharmaceutical claims data recorded in Manitoba Health's Drug Program Information Network. The effect of residence on the prevalence and intensity of drug use was determined, in addition to the effects of other sociodemographic characteristics, measures of health, and health service utilization.

RESULTS: The prevalence of prescription pharmaceutical use did not differ between urban and rural residents (90.6% vs 89.5%, respectively; p = 0.60). Users of home-care services (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.09 to 3.39), those who perceived their income as adequate (2.38; 95% CI 1.09 to 5.17), and those with a higher number of chronic health problems (1.42; 95% CI 1.26 to 1.62) were significantly more likely to access prescription medications. Rural and urban residents were equally likely to be high users of prescription drugs (21.3% vs 20.0%, respectively; p = 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS: Poor health status is associated with a higher prevalence and intensity of use of prescription drugs among older Manitobans. Rural residence is not a barrier to receipt of prescription pharmaceuticals.

Key Words: Canada, drug utilization, geriatrics, rural health services

Published Online, October 10, 2006. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1H338




homecopy help contact us subscription past issues search current issue
Copyright © 2006 by Harvey Whitney Books Company.