The Effects of a Rational Drug Use Literacy Promotion Program on Rational Drug Use Literacy and Behavior among Older Adults in Sop Prap District, Lampang Province
Keywords:
Rational Drug Use Literacy Promotion Program, Rational Drug Use Literacy, Rational Drug Use Behavior, Older Adults with Chronic DiseasesAbstract
This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to compare the effects of a new rational drug Use Literacy Promotion Program on the rational drug use literacy level and the behavior level of 60 older adults with chronic diseases, receiving services from the Sop Prap Regional Hospital in Lampang in 2023. Participants were randomly assigned into either experimental or control group (30 each), using the block randomization technique with a block size of six, resulting in 10 blocks. The control group received standard nursing care, while the experimental group participated in the 12-week Rational Drug Use Literacy Promotion Program. Program included foundational knowledge building, skill training in accessing drug-related information, self-management strategies, and literacy reinforcement in rational drug use. Data were collected using a Rational Drug Use Literacy Assessment and a Rational Drug Use Behavior Assessment for older adults with chronic conditions. The data collection period was from January 8 to April 2, 2023. Statistical analysis was conducted using both paired and independent t-tests. Results showed as follows.
1. After receiving the program, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in mean scores for both rational drug use literacy and behavior, compared to their pre-intervention scores (p-value < .05).
2. The post-intervention scores of the experimental group were also significantly higher than those of the control group in both literacy and behavior regarding rational drug use (p-value < .05).
Therefore, the Rational Drug Use Literacy Promotion Program shall be applied in similar contexts, so to help reduce adverse drug reactions and complications among older adults with chronic illnesses.
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