Effectiveness Of A Pharmacist-Initiated Education Program On Rational Drug Use Literacy Of Village Health Volunteers Registered At A Northern Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital

Abstract

Background: Adequate rational drug use (RDU) literacy of village health volunteers (VHVs) is essential for community health.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the pharmacist–initiated educational program on RDU literacy among VHVs.

Methods: This study was one-group pre-test-and-post-test study carried out between March – June 2021 at Sawang Arom Health Promotion Hospital, Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province, Thailand. The educational program was designed based on health literacy theory and comprised three sessions scheduled over a period of three weeks. The primary outcome was RDU literacy score, evaluated using the Rational Drug Use Literacy Scale. Descriptive statistics, paired t–test, and McNemar–Bowker test were conducted as appropriated. The eligible participants (n=60) were recruited into the study via purposive sampling.

Results: The results demonstrated that most of participants were female (n=54, 90.0%), approximately 70% (n=43) were over the age of 50, and 80% (n=48) had educational level equal to and lower than grade 9. The mean RDU literacy scores in pre-test and post-test were 18.85 ± 5.25 and 23.93 ± 2.15, respectively (p<0.001).  Considering by aspect, it was found that the mean scores in compliance to the instructions on a medicine label (p<0.001), health advertising assessment (p<0.001), proper drug selection and utilization (p<0.001), and medical term comprehension (p=0.006) were statistical significantly higher than pre-test. Health information accessibility score was not significantly different from the baseline (p=0.766).

Conclusion: This pharmacist-developed educational program demonstrated effectively improved RDU literacy among VHVs. It may be advantageous to use this program in other areas.