Comparison between the effect of the community-based interactive approach and the influence of the distribution of booklets regarding the self-medication knowledge, attitude, and behavior of students

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of booklet media and a community-based interactive approach (CBIA) on nonmedical science students. The study was conducted at the Departments of Pedagogy and Forestry at the University of Tanjungpura, Pontianak. Methods: The study design was pre-experimental with a pre- and post-test of the respondents, who were divided into groups that either carried out the CBIA or were given a booklet. There were 78 respondents who participated in the study until its completion. Scores of knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes were measured with questionnaires, both before and 6 weeks after interventions with the CBIA and the booklet. Results: The results demonstrate that both the CBIA and the booklet intervention significantly influence the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (p<0.05). Conclusions: Although the distribution of the booklets was more effective than the CBIA method in improving the self-medication attitude of the students, both interventions were equally effective in improving the self-medication knowledge and behavior of the non-medical science students.