Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Medication and Frequent Hospitalization of Older Iranian People Hospitalized in Yazd in 2022

Self-medication is a common phenomenon; the risks are greater in the older people. This study was conducted aimed to determine the relationship between self-medication and frequent hospitalization of the older people in Yazd. The samples size was 348. Sampling by stratified sampling was selected from the teaching hospitals of Yazd based on the attendance list of older people in these centers. The data of this research was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire. The prevalence of self-medication was 77.58%. Painkillers, pills, cold syrups, and herbal infusions were the most used drugs in self- medication. Colds, headaches and digestive problems were the problems that were treated with self-medication more than others. There was no significant relationship between frequent hospitalization and self-medication. Considering the high prevalence of self-medication among hospitalized older people, it is necessary to increase the awareness of the society about the dangers of self-medication, which is possible only through education.