Awareness and knowledge of drug-food interactions among polish third-age university listeners before and after training – a questionnaire study

The problem of drug-food interactions is of particular concern to the elderly, as polypharmacy is most prevalent in this population. The study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of drug-food interactions among Polish third-age university listeners before and after training on that topic. A total of 143 participants, with a mean age of 71.5 ± 5.5 years, took part in the study. 123 participants (86%) completed the pre- and post-training questionnaires. 91% of respondents had heard that food can affect the effectiveness of drugs and a similar number stated that they are aware of what time to take their medications. Information about drug-food interactions was most frequently obtained from the physician (34%), the drug leaflet (30%), or the internet article (23%). The mean percentage of correct answers to questions testing knowledge of drug-food interactions before and after training was 32% and 57%, respectively (p < 0.05). To determine the structure of relationships between parameters (or categories of parameters), the results were examined using correspondence analysis (CA). The categories of parameters with the highest quality of representation in the CA model were indicated and the parameters characterized by the highest strength of coexistence were determined. The majority of study participants were aware of drug-food interactions, but their knowledge of the topic was poor, and often incorrect. The training significantly increased knowledge of drug-food interactions. The study indicates the need to educate geriatric patients on the correct use of drugs with food and on the importance of drug-food interactions.