Evaluation of Drug Use Problems and Self-care Behavior of Patients suffering from Chronic Diseases through INHOMESSS Home Visit under Health Service Networks of Wangmuang District, Saraburi

Abstract

Objective : To evaluate problems associating with drug use and self-care behavior of patients suffering from chronic disease through INHOMESSS home visit under health service networks of Wangmuang District, Saraburi Province Method : The researcher interviewed patients diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes who had received home visit in December 2020 for totaling 87 persons.

Findings : The majority part of the patients were the elderly who could perform self-care activities including preparing medications for oneself. Each patient was taking 3-4 types of drug on the average. No significant side effect or daily life disturbance was found among those subjects. They could correctly identify drug type, dosage and timing of medication. The major problem found was intermittent drug taking for as much as 45.98% especially when the patient forgot to take medications and failed to do so immediately when they could remember as they rushed out to work in the morning. This suggests that daily life and social condition could affect the patient’s drug taking behavior.