Determining the awareness levels of high school students regarding rational drug

Determining the Awareness Levels of High School Students Regarding Rational Drug This study was conducted to assess the awareness levels of high school students regarding rational drug use (RDU) with the participation of 856 students from two different high schools in the Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır province. The primary objective of the research is to determine the awareness levels of high school students about RDU. Within the scope of the study, participants were examined based on variables such as gender, grade level, school type, parental education level, the presence of chronic diseases, regular drug use, and over-the-counter (OTC) drug use. The findings reveal that while students' overall awareness levels regarding RDU are moderate, significant differences exist depending on specific variables. Notably, female students demonstrated higher awareness levels than male students, and students from Anatolian high schools were found to be more conscious about RDU compared to those from Multi-Program Anatolian high schools. However, factors such as parental education level, regular drug use, and the presence of chronic diseases did not significantly affect students' awareness levels. An evaluation by grade level revealed that 12th-grade students had significantly lower awareness levels compared to 9th and 11th-grade students. This finding suggests that intense exam stress and academic workload may negatively impact students' health awareness. Furthermore, students who used OTC drugs had significantly lower awareness levels compared to those who did not, emphasizing the risks of inappropriate drug use and the importance of preventive measures in this regard. The study offers several recommendations to improve RDU awareness among high school students. It suggests integrating health education into school curricula, organizing awareness campaigns with the support of healthcare professionals, and implementing school-based programs to foster health literacy from an early age. Additionally, enhancing health literacy education for parents and conducting community-wide awareness campaigns about OTC drug use are proposed. These findings provide critical data for developing national and local health policies aimed at improving both individual health behaviors and public health outcomes.