Evaluation of a health-promoting school program to enhance correct medication use in Taiwan

Abstract

This study was an evaluation of the Health Promoting School (HPS) program in 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.

Inappropriate self-medication among adolescents and its association with lower medication literacy and substance use

“…Since the improvement of medication literacy could enhance an individual’s ability to properly use medication [ 33 ], medication literacy enhancement programs should be developed and implemented in schools and communities. Studies have shown that education programs on correct medication use could improve medication knowledge among adolescents [ 33 , 56 ].…”

“…This study’s questionnaire was developed and modified according to those presented by previous studies [ 33 , 55 , 56 ]. Its content validity was assessed by a diverse expert panel comprising two family medicine physicians; seven pharmacists (three community pharmacists, three hospital pharmacists, and one policy developers); four public health educators; and two school teachers.…”

“…The items for knowledge of correct medication usage were developed on the basis of previous studies on five core abilities for correct medication usage [ 33 , 55 , 56 ]. The first component (Ability I: being the master of yourself in taking medications) is the ability to balance the benefits and risks of medication to make your decision on self-care or medication use.…”

Health Protecting and Health Promoting Behaviors Among Preparatory School Students in Zagazig City

“…This healthy behavior might be attributed to the fact that the incidence of diseases necessitating long-term use of medications in this phase of life is low. In agreement with this, Chi et al (2013), in a study in Taiwan reported that <10% of the students reported that they would buy or obtain medication according to family or friends or traditional therapists' recommendations.…”

Medication Education Provided to School‐Aged Children: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…Studies in Taiwan (Table 2) evaluated the correct medicines arm of the Health Promoting School (HPS) Program. This partnership between educators and pharmacists was launched in 2011 in 14 cities 16 . Study interventions included direct teaching, posters, student outreach and pharmacist guest speakers.…”