The impact of dysmenorrhea on rational drug use, health literacy, and emotional symptoms: A structural equation modeling approach

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between dysmenorrhea and rational drug use (RDU), health literacy (HL), and emotional symptoms among university students. Method In this cross‐sectional study, the population consisted of 8524 female students studying at a university. The sample size was calculated using the known population sampling formula, and the study was completed with 646 students. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, numerical rating scale (NRS), RDU scale, adolescent e‐Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21). Data collection took place between April and June 2023. Results The mean age of the participants was 21.5 ± 3.1 years. A low positive correlation was found between eHEALS and RDU scores, a low negative correlation between the depression subscale and eHEALS, and a low positive correlation between the anxiety subscale and NRS scores. The structural equation model for the scales was found to be statistically significant ( P