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Journals / Kocatepe Veteriner Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 19 Sayı: 3

Investigation of the Relationship Between Health Literacy Levels and Rational Drug Use Among Veterinary Faculty Students

Veteriner Fakültesi Öğrencilerinin Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Düzeyleri ve Akılcı İlaç Kullanımı Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Tolgay Ercan(SİVAS CUMHURİYET ÜNİVERSİTESİ, YILDIZELİ MESLEK YÜKSEKOKULU, TIBBİ HİZMETLER VE TEKNİKLER BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-6893-4358
Pages
329–341
Publication Date
2026-09-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Results showed that students’ health literacy subdimension scores were moderate, and the total score for rational drug use was 34.35 ± 5.88.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy and rational drug use among veterinary faculty students.
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Key Findings & Data:The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 234 students enrolled in a veterinary faculty in Turkey.
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Conclusion & Impact:Results showed that students’ health literacy subdimension scores were moderate, and the total score for rational drug use was 34.35 ± 5.88.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Sağlık okuryazarlığı · Akılcı ilaç kullanımı · Veterinerlik öğrencileri

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy and rational drug use among veterinary faculty students. The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 234 students enrolled in a veterinary faculty in Turkey. Data collection tools included a sociodemographic information form, the Health Literacy Scale, and the Rational Drug Use Scale. Health literacy was assessed under two themes, “Treatment and Services” and “Disease Prevention / Health Promotion,” and their respective subdimensions. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were applied. Results showed that students’ health literacy subdimension scores were moderate, and the total score for rational drug use was 34.35 ± 5.88. All subdimensions of the “Treatment and Services” theme demonstrated low but statistically significant negative correlations with rational drug use (p < 0.05). In the “Disease Prevention / Health Promotion” theme, only the “understanding information” subdimension was significantly related to rational drug use. Furthermore, rational drug use was positively associated with class level, while no significant association was found with gender. Overall, a significant relationship was identified between health literacy and rational drug use among veterinary students. Highlighting this relationship, particularly among students who have not received rational drug use training, underscores the importance of integrating health literacy and rational drug use education into the veterinary curriculum.

Özet

Bu çalışma, veteriner fakültesi öğrencilerinde sağlık okuryazarlığı ile akılcı ilaç kullanımı arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Kesitsel ve tanımlayıcı nitelikte yürütülen araştırma, Türkiye’de bir veteriner fakültesinde öğrenim gören 234 öğrenci ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veri toplama araçları olarak sosyodemografik bilgi formu, Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği ve Akılcı İlaç Kullanım Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Sağlık okuryazarlığı, “Tedavi ve Hizmet” ile “Hastalıklardan Korunma / Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi” temaları ve bunlara ait alt boyutlar kapsamında değerlendirilmiştir. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve korelasyon analizleri uygulanmıştır. Bulgular, öğrencilerin sağlık okuryazarlığı alt boyut puanlarının orta düzeyde olduğunu ve akılcı ilaç kullanım ölçeği toplam puanının 34,35 ± 5,88 olduğunu göstermiştir. “Tedavi ve Hizmet” temasına ait tüm alt boyutlar ile akılcı ilaç kullanımı arasında düşük düzeyde ancak istatistiksel olarak anlamlı negatif ilişkiler saptanmıştır (p < 0,05). “Hastalıklardan Korunma / Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi” temasında ise yalnızca “bilgiyi anlama” alt boyutu ile akılcı ilaç kullanımı arasında anlamlı ilişki belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, akılcı ilaç kullanımı ile sınıf düzeyi arasında pozitif ilişki bulunurken, cinsiyet ile anlamlı bir ilişki saptanmamıştır. Sonuç olarak, veteriner öğrencilerinde sağlık okuryazarlığı ile akılcı ilaç kullanımı arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu görülmüştür. Özellikle akılcı ilaç kullanımı dersi almamış öğrencilerde bu ilişkinin ortaya konması, veteriner hekimliği eğitim müfredatında sağlık okuryazarlığı ve akılcı ilaç kullanımına yönelik eğitimlerin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Ercan, T. (2026). Investigation of the Relationship Between Health Literacy Levels and Rational Drug Use Among Veterinary Faculty Students. Kocatepe Veteriner Dergisi, Cilt: 19 Sayı: 3, 329–341. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1853849

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