The Effects of an Education Program on the Knowledge of Medication and Prevention of Depression in the Elderly with Chronic Disease at a Local Community

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an education program on the knowledge of medication and prevention of depression in the elderly at a local community. METHODS: This study utilized the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Thirty consecutive people were included in this study for the experimental group, and another 30 people were allocated to the control group. The program was performed once a week for 3 weeks. Data were collected from March 15 to April 30, 2010 and statistical analyses were performed by chi2-test and independent t-test using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge of medication, depression and medication compliance between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that an education program for the knowledge of medication and prevention of depression in the elderly with chronic disease could improve their knowledge of medication and their medication compliance, and decrease their depression. These results suggest that education of knowledge with social psychology can be an effective and practical method of management to the elderly with chronic disease at local communities.