The association between health literacy and self-medication behaviors among women referred to comprehensive health care centers in Sirjan, Iran, in 2017

Self-medication is a challenging issue in health care systems and it seems that health literacy is a determining factor in safe self-medication behaviors. Limited studies are available in this field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and self-medicating behaviors among women referred to comprehensive health care centers
In this descriptive study, 540 women, who were referred to comprehensive health care centers in 2017, were selected randomly and their health literacy and self-medicating behaviors were assessed through self-reporting method. The data collection tools were the standard Health Literacy for Iranian ýAdults (HELIA), and the self-medication behaviors questionnairesý. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.
The results showed that the majority of women (94.6%) had inadequate health literacy. More than 89% of them approved self-medication and more than 98% of them performed self-medication. Older women and those who had a higher education level had lower mean health literacy scores (P = 0.021 and P = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant relationship between self-medication and demographic characteristics. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between health literacy and confirmation and performance of self-medication.
The women had low health literacy levels and high incorrect self-medication behaviors. Self-medication behaviors are performed independent of health literacy. It seems a reform in women's health programs and the empowerment of women in the target population is necessary in order to promote health literacy skills and appropriate self-medication behaviors.