Abstract: Objective To understand the status of rational drug use literacy and its influencing factors among residents in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City, and provide evidence for developing appropriate intervention measures and strategies of rational drug use literacy. Methods A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among the permanent residents aged 18-69 in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City. The basic information of the respondents, their rational drug use literacy and needs for medication education were collected. Chi-square test and Logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 2 534 residents were surveyed, 1 082 males （42.7%） and 1 452 females （57.3%）. The household registration was mainly in Guangzhou, accounting for 80.8%. 30.6% of them were 25-34 years old, 46.6% with an average monthly personal income of 2 000-4 999 yuan, 36.8% with bachelor degree, 31.0% were personnel from enterprises and institutions. Most of the medical insurance was medical insurance for urban employees （69.8%）. There were 738 people with the literacy of rational drug use, accounting for 29.1%. Logistic regression analysis showed that people aged 25-34 years old （OR=1.645）, 35-44 years old （OR=1.620）, with junior college degree （OR=2.797）, bachelor degree （OR=3.675）, master degree or above （OR=5.448）, and medical personnel （OR=7.521） were more likely to have the rational drug use literacy. 97.5% （2 470/2 534） of the residents agreed on the importance of medication education, 82.8% （2 097/2 534） were willing to receive and 28.7% （728/2 534） had received medication education. Conclusion The rational drug use literacy level of Huangpu District residents is relatively low and the major influencing factors are age, education level and occupation. There is a large demand for medication education among residents. It is suggested to take targeted comprehensive intervention measures to improve the literacy level of rational drug use according to the common cognitive errors of residents and the population with low educational degree.

Key words: Residents, Health literacy, Rational drug use literacy, Influencing factor, Medication education