Effect of Education on Medication in Classroom by Pharmacists and Line Application in Volunteer Students at High Schools in Pak Phanang Municipality, Nakhon Si Thammarat

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of medication education in the classroom by pharmacists and through Line application knowledge among volunteer students in secondary schools in Pak Phanang Municipality, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Method: The subjects were Grade 7, 8 and 9 students participating in the service activities group, Red Cross Youth Group or Girl Guides of 3 schools in Pak Phanang Municipality. The subjects were divided into 3 groups; the first group receiving knowledge of medications in the classroom by the pharmacist, the second group receiving knowledge through Line application and control groups. The subjects completed 20-item knowledge test with 5 answer-choices before and after intervention.  Results: After education, knowledge in the group with classroom education significantly increased from 8.43 ± 5.04 to 11.50 ± 8.25 (from the full score of 20 points), while that of those with line application significantly increased from 7.10 ± 5.92 to 8.64 ± 9.89. Both groups had a significantly higher level of knowledge than control group (P<0.05). In addition, those in classroom education gained more knowledge than those receiving knowledge via Line application (P<0.05). Conclusion:  Educating volunteer students on medications both in classrooms and through Line applications enables them to gain more knowledge points. Educating in the classroom improves the knowledge better, but entails many limitations, such as the number of students in class and resources to be used. Educating through Line application is based on simple to use technology interesting, accessible to many groups of people in many areas, saving time, labor and budget. it is, therefore, an interesting form of public education.