Citation

Zanjani F, Allen HK, Schoenberg N, Martin C, Clayton R. Health Educ. Res. 2018; 33(4): 261-270.

Affiliation

Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/her/cyy021

PMID

29982394

Abstract

Risk of experiencing alcohol and medication interactions (AMI) is significant among older adults due to the substantial prevalence of alcohol and medication use in this segment of the population. Given the lack of community-level AMI prevention interventions for older adults, this study aimed to examine the immediate effects of a brief, pharmacy-based intervention to prevent AMI among older adults, as well as assess differential effects by past-month drinking status. A convenience sample of 134 adults aged 59 and older was recruited from four pharmacies in rural Virginia. Participants were assessed on their AMI awareness, intentions and importance prior to and immediately after exposure to intervention materials.

FINDINGS support immediate, positive intervention effects on AMI awareness, intentions and perceived importance of AMI messaging. Changes from pre to post-test did not differ by drinking status, but participants who consumed alcohol were less likely than non-drinkers to recognize the potential consequential severity of alcohol and medication interactions at both time points. Recommendations and future research to prevent AMI are discussed.

Language: en