Hubungan literasi kesehatan berbasis digital terhadap perilaku swamedikasi pada masyarakat Desa Libungo Kecamatan Suwawa Selatan Kabupaten Bone Bolango

Association between digital health literacy and self-medication behavior among the community of Libungo Village, Suwawa Selatan Sub-District, Bone Bolango Regency

Abstract

The advancement of digital technology has increased public access to health information and influenced health-related behaviors, including self-medication practices. Digital health literacy is an important factor in determining the appropriateness of decision-making regarding self-medication. This study aimed to determine the relationship between digital health literacy and self-medication behavior among residents of Libungo Village, Suwawa Selatan District, Bone Bolango Regency. This study employed a descriptive correlational design with a quantitative approach. The study population consisted of residents of Libungo Village, with a sample of 244 respondents. The sampling technique used non-probability sampling with a purposive sampling method based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research instruments were the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and a self-medication behavior questionnaire. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with the Chi-square test. The results showed that the majority of respondents were female (131; 53.7%), aged 26–35 years (early adulthood) (79; 32.4%), had completed primary school education (82; 33.6%), were housewives (93; 38.1%), and most frequently used Facebook as their source of health information (103; 42.21%). The majority of respondents had a high level of digital health literacy (100; 40.98%) and good self-medication behavior (132; 54.10%). Bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between digital health literacy and self-medication behavior (p = 0.000; p < 0.05). Respondents with a high level of digital health literacy tended to demonstrate better self-medication behavior than those with a low level of digital health literacy.