en Epidemiology Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Background: </strong>Self<span dir="RTL">-</span>medication is a challenging issue in health care systems and it seems that health literacy is a determining factor in safe self-medication behaviors. Limited studies are available in this field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and self-medicating behaviors among women referred to comprehensive health care centers<br> <strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>In this descriptive study, 540 women, who were referred to comprehensive health care centers in 2017, were selected randomly and their health literacy and self-medicating behaviors were assessed through self-reporting method. The data collection tools were the standard Health Literacy for Iranian &lrm;Adults (HELIA), and the self-medication behaviors questionnaires&lrm;. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.<br> <strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that the majority of women (94.6%) had inadequate health literacy. More than 89% of them approved self-medication and more than 98% of them performed self-medication. Older women and those who had a higher education level had lower mean health literacy scores (P = 0.021 and P = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant relationship between self-medication and demographic characteristics. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between health literacy and confirmation and performance of self-medication.<br> <strong>Conclusions: </strong>The women had low health literacy levels and high incorrect self-medication behaviors. Self-medication behaviors are performed independent of health literacy. It seems a reform in women&#39;s health programs and the empowerment of women in the target population is necessary in order to promote health literacy skills and appropriate self-medication behaviors.&nbsp; </span></div> Self Medication,Health Literacy,Empowerment,Women Health,Iran, 103 111 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-270-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Somayeh Mousaeipour sm.mousaeipour@yahoo.com 22400319475328460010584 22400319475328460010584 No Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery; Student Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences Ali Ansari Jaberi shibonraf@yahoo.com 22400319475328460010585 22400319475328460010585 No Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery; Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences Tayebeh Negahban Bonabi negahbant@yahoo.com 22400319475328460010586 22400319475328460010586 Yes Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery; Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences