Assessment of Rational Drug Use Literacy and Its Influencing Factors Among Pharmacy Students.

OBJECTIVE

Irrational drug use remains a global health concern, underscoring the urgent need for a well-prepared health care workforce. Pharmacy students play a vital role in promoting rational drug use literacy (RDUL) to enhance medication safety. This study assessed RDUL among Thai pharmacy students and examined influencing factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Doctorate of Pharmacy Students at Burapha University between January and March 2024, using cluster sampling and the Thai version of RDUL measurement tool for Thai people. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t tests, χ2 tests, analysis of variance, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

Among 273 pharmacy students from year 1 to 5 (74.4% female), the mean RDUL score was 44.6 (85.8% of the total), exceeding the general Thai population. However, 19.0% had low RDUL. Academic year, medication use experience, and gender significantly influenced RDUL. Tukey's Honest Significant Difference analysis showed higher RDUL scores in upper-year students. Multiple regression revealed a significant positive association between the rational drug use learning environment and RDUL. Structural equation modeling confirmed its direct impact (λ = 0.30), with dynamic interactions among 6 RDUL dimensions.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacy students demonstrated higher RDUL than the general population. Academic year, medication experience, and gender were the influencing factors, while the rational drug use learning environment was found to have a direct impact on student's RDUL.