ABSTRACT
This study aimed to characterize the elderly receiving outpatient care in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, concerning their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health condition, medication usage and adherence to medication; to identify their self-reported reasons for adherence/nonadherence to the prescribed medication. A descriptive, cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, performed in the outpatient unit of a university hospital in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. One hundred seven elderly were interviewed in November of 2013. Data were collected with three instruments. The statistical analysis was descriptive. Among the elderly, 86.9% were adherent to medication. Wanting to feel good was the reason most often reported for adherence to the prescribed medication, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was the most often cited reason for nonadherence. The results of this study can support the development of actions that promote adherence to medication by the elderly.
Aged; Drug utilization; Medication adherence; Ambulatory care; Nursing