Evaluation of the effect of health literacy on rational antibiotic use

The data were collected by filling out the prepared questionnaire form by face-to-face interview method; after collecting the socio-demographic data of the study participants, the Knowledge-Attitude Scale for Rational Antibiotic Use and Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 were applied. The median age of the 121 participants was 36 years (18-65), 57% (n=69) were female and 43% (n=52) were male. Of the participants, 9.1% graduated from primary school, 4.1% from secondary school, 24.8% from high school, and 62% from university and above. The TSOY-32 mean score of the participants was 33.4 and was found to be at the level of adequate health literacy. Of the participants, 15.7% were inadequately health literate, 34.7% were problematic-limited health literate, 33.1% were adequately health literate, and 16.5% were excellent health literate. Individuals who were younger, had higher education, did not have children, and did not have chronic diseases had higher TSOY-32 scores. The rational antibiotic knowledge score was 47.7 and the rational antibiotic attitude score was 69.6. The rational antibiotic knowledge score was higher in young, higher education and working individuals and the rational antibiotic attitude score was higher in female, higher education and working individuals. There was a same directional correlation between the TSOY-32 total score and the Knowledge-Attitude towards Rational Antibiotic Use scale score. Rational antibiotic use and health literacy are important issues for protecting and improving health. Family health centers have an important place for community education on these two issues. This study shows that health literacy can be seen as a step in the development of rational antibiotic use and can be used in this regard. Keywords: Health literacy, rational antibiotic use