Evaluate the effects of education given by nurses on rational drug use and health literacy of patients receiving hypertension treatment

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of education given by nurses on rational drug use and health literacy of patients receiving hypertension treatment. Material and Method: This experimental research conducted between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019, in Family Health Center. The sample; the study-included patients with hypertension who applied to Family Health Center and met the sample selection criteria. A total of 100 hypertensive patients, 50 for the intervention group and 50 for the control group; the sample was selected by block randomization selection method. The data was collected twice with three months intervals with The patient identification form, the Rational Drug Use Scale (RDUS) and the Adult Health Literacy Scale (AHLS). At the first interview, patients in the intervention group were trained while the control group was not trained. Independent Samples t, Mann Whitney U, Paired Samples t, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks and chi square test were used for statistical analysis of within group and between groups. Results: The mean age of the intervention group was 55.38 ± 7.07 years and 68.0% was female. The mean age of the control group was 55.12 ± 6.88 years and 64.0% was female. The total score of AHLS (13.28 ± 4.10) and RDUS (50.70 ± 7.82) and the subscale scores increased positively. After the training given to the intervention group, there was a decrease inblood pressure, and an increase in the number of patients who limit salt use and diet. The variables related to drug use, it was determined that there was a significant increase in the regular use of medicines and significant decrease in taking medications from a non-prescriptice pharmacy, and the use of medicines with the advice of neighbors / relatives. Conclusion: It was concluded that the training given by the nurse positively increased the use of rational drug use and health literacy in hypertension patients. Key Words: Rational Drug Use, Provided for patients by Nurse, Hypertension, Health Literacy.