Medication Knowledge, Safe Use of Medicines and Health Literacy in Southern Taiwan: A Cross-section Study
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2016, Vol 16, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: There was a high prevalence of non-prescribed medicine usage in Taiwan the reasons for this phenomenon may be the false advertisements on underground radio programs that exaggerate the efficacy of non-prescribed medicines combined with inadequate medication knowledge and the high prevalence of adverse self-medication of Taiwanese people. As the result, it is critical to investigate the health literacy in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between medication knowledge, safe use of medicines and health literacy in southern Taiwan. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was used in the study. A total of 513 residents were recruited and 87 of these were excluded because of invalid data, giving a response rate of 83.0%. Data were collected from February to August 2013. Results: From 426 residents who participated in the study, 60.6% were women. The mean age of study participants was 45.8±5.2 years and the majority of them (38.7%, N=165) were between 31-50 years old. Health literacy was positively associated with medication knowledge (r =.520, p<.01) and safe use of medicines (r =.643, p<.01). Medication knowledge was positively related to safe use of medicines (r =.378, p<.01). Conclusion: Medical knowledge and safe use of medicines affect health literacy. Residents with appropriate medical knowledge, reduce adverse self medication behaviors, and promote health literacy.
Authors and Affiliations
Min-Li Chen, Hui-Shan Chan, Hui-Ying Chu, Li-Na Chou
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP341275
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2016/26384
- Views 47
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Cases Followed and Treated in Our Clinic between 2009-2013
Objectives: The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) belongs to the family Bunyaviridae, genus Nairovirus, and causes severe disease in man; the reported case-fatality rate is 3%–30%. The aim of this study was t...
Impact of Health Centre Nurses on the Reduction of Early Childhood Caries in Lima, Peru
Background: The prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) among 36-47 months-old children in Lima, Peru, is 65.5%. Dentists have no easy access to see infants but nurses do. If nurses will be trained on oral health beha...
Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Its Screening among Female Nurses Working in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, South-Eastern Nigeria
Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Its Screening among Female Nurses Working in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, South-Eastern Nigeria Ifeanyichukwu U. Ezebialu1*, Cyril C. Ezenyeaku1, Joseph C. U...
Application of Working Memory Computerized Test (WMCT) for Working Memory Deficit in Patients with Parkinson Disease
Introduction: This study deals with the study of memory rehabilitation in patients with Parkinson's disease. Measures included systematic rehabilitation techniques for the recovery of symptoms and had no errors. However,...
Plasma N-terminal Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Prognostic Biomarker in Children with Pulmonary Hypertension
Aim: To evaluate plasma level of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) as a prognostic biomarker in children with pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to congenital heart disease (CHD). Study Design: Prospecti...