Evaluation of a health-promoting school program to enhance correct medication use in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis
Journal Volume
22
Journal Issue
2
Pages
271-278
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
This study was an evaluation of the Health Promoting School (HPS) programin Taiwan and its effectiveness in enhancing students' knowledge and abilities with regard to correct medication usage. In 2011, baseline and follow-up self-administered online surveys were received from 3520 middle-school and primary students from intervention schools, and 3738 students from comparison primary and secondary schools completed the same survey. The results indicated that after implementing the correct medication use HPS program, students' knowledge and abilities concerning correct medication usage (i.e., the need to express clearly personal conditions to physicians, to check information on the medication packages, to take medication correctly and adhere to prescribed medication regimens, not to buy or acquire medication from unlicensed sources, and to consult pharmacists/physicians) were significantly increased among the students in the intervention schools (p < 0.001). In addition, students' knowledge and abilities concerning correct medication usage were significantly higher in the intervention schools compared with the comparison schools (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the correct medication use HPS program significantly enhanced students' knowledge and abilities concerning correct medication usage. Copyright ? 2013, Food and Drug Administration, Taiwan.
Other Subjects
Article; drug use; evaluation study; female; follow up; health promotion; high school; high school student; human; male; middle school; middle school student; primary school; program effectiveness; school health service; student attitude; Taiwan
Type
journal article