Application of media literacy education for changing attitudes about self-medication of slimming supplements

Background: Self-medication of slimming supplements has increased, and media advertising has a role in this. The present study aimed at determining the effect of media literacy educational intervention on attitudes about self-medication of slimming supplements among the female students at dormitories of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study with a control group, 98 students were selected by multistage cluster sampling method and were randomly divided into 2 equal groups of test and control. The data collecting instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire about media literacy and attitude on self-medication of slimming pills. Based on the results obtained from the early completion of the questionnaires, an appropriate educational intervention was designed and implemented. Data were analyzed 1 and 3 months after the intervention using the following statistical methods: repeated measurements, Friedman test, Chi square, independent T-test and Mann- Whitney test. Results: Before the intervention, the mean scores of attitude and dimensions of media literacy were moderate in both groups, and there was no significant difference between them. However, positive correlations were observed among attitude and knowledge (r=0.99, p= 0.001), critical thinking (r= 0.61, p= 0.001), and analysis (r= 0.37, p= 0.009) in the experimental group. The mean scores of attitudes and dimensions of media literacy were found to be significant in both groups 1 and 3 months after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: Media literacy education was effective in promoting a positive attitude about slimming supplements.