Level of understanding of medical terms among italian students

Problems related to medical treatment and health literacy are nowadays a considerable difficulty, particularly if awareness of them is low. There is still a lack of information about students understanding of medical recommendations. The aim of this work was to determine the understanding of medical terms among Italian students and to find out if there is any relation between understanding and age, gender, education or parental occupation. The research was realized via questionnaires in the Marche region of Central Italy in 2015. Students were chosen at random from grammar schools, vocational schools and the local university. 387 completed questionnaires were subsequently evaluated. The level of understanding of medical terms among students was quite poor. Most of the terms included in the study were known to only a third of respondents on average. A significant link between the comprehension of medical terms and education level or parental occupation was observed, especially in the terms that are not commonly used. Nevertheless, no relation between knowledge of medical terms and gender was found. This topic, which requires attention, should be investigated because of correct implementation of preventive medicine programs.Key words: medical terms Italian students correct use of medicine risk.