The association between health literacy and self-medication behaviors among women referred to comprehensive health care centers in Sirjan, Iran, in 2017

Background: Self-medication is a challenging issue in health care systems and it seems that health literacy is a determining factor in safe self-medication behaviors. Limited studies are available in this field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and self-medicating behaviors among women referred to comprehensive health care centers Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 540 women, who were referred to comprehensive health care centers in 2017, were selected randomly and their health literacy and self-medicating behaviors were assessed through self-reporting method. The data collection tools were the standard Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA), and the self-medication behaviors questionnaires. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Results: The results showed that the majority of women (94.6%) had inadequate health literacy. More than 89% of them approved self-medication and more than 98% of them performed self-medication. Older women and those who had a higher education level had lower mean health literacy scores (P = 0.021 and P = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant relationship between self-medication and demographic characteristics. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between health literacy and confirmation and performance of self-medication. Conclusions: The women had low health literacy levels and high incorrect self-medication behaviors. Self-medication behaviors are performed independent of health literacy. It seems a reform in women's health programs and the empowerment of women in the target population is necessary in order to promote health literacy skills and appropriate self-medication behaviors.