Readability of commercial versus generic health instructions for condoms

Patient receipt of, and preferences for receiving, antidepressant information

Objective

The purpose of the study was to examine patient receipt of, and preferences for receiving, antidepressant information.

Method/setting

The study had a cross-sectional design. Eight community pharmacies in central North Carolina participated in the study. Eighty-three English-speaking patients who were picking up antidepressant prescriptions were interviewed by a research assistant. The main outcome measures included: patient receipt of verbal antidepressant information; the number and type of educational messages contained in the written antidepressant leaflets that patients received; the percentage of patients who had a reading level below the reading level of the antidepressant information leaflet; whether patients reported reading the leaflets and how satisfied they were with the leaflets; and how patients preferred to receive antidepressant information.

Key findings

Seventeen per cent of patients did not receive verbal information about how long the medication would take to work from anyone. Only 50 per cent of patients were told what to do if a major side effect occurred. Almost 11 per cent of patients had a reading level below the level of the written pharmacy antidepressant information leaflet. Just over one-third (36 per cent) of patients preferred to receive only written antidepressant information. Less educated patients were significantly more likely to want to receive antidepressant information verbally. Of those patients who preferred to receive verbal antidepressant information or both verbal and written information, 92 per cent chose pharmacists as their first or second choice for providing them with verbal information.

Conclusion

The majority of patients taking antidepressants want to receive verbal information and view pharmacists as an important source of information. Pharmacists have the potential to improve antidepressant adherence if they take the time to educate patients verbally about their medications.

Health literacy and contraception: A readability evaluation of contraceptive instructions for condoms, spermicides and emergency contraception in the USA

OBJECTIVE

To assess readability of over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptive product instructions currently available, compare the results with previous studies from a decade ago, and review the implications for health care providers, in particular pharmacists counseling on OTC contraceptives.

METHODS

A sample of contraceptive instructions was submitted to a readability analysis using four standard readability formulas. Products included condoms, spermicides, and emergency contraception instruction pamphlets.

RESULTS

Reading grade levels for condoms ranged from 6th to 12th grade. The average reading levels for the spermicides were 9th-10th grade and for the emergency contraceptives 10th-12th grade. These results were consistent with those of similar studies performed a decade ago.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumers need to have at least a high school reading level in order to comprehend current product instructions. Very little has changed in the past decade regarding readability of OTC contraceptive patient instructions, despite calls to simplify written instructions. Healthcare providers, in particular pharmacists, must be aware of these disparities to enhance patient education and advocate for simpler reading materials.

Do instructions for over-the-counter pre-coital female contraceptives promote "perfect use"?

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to estimate the readability and related features of English-language over-the-counter (OTC) pre-coital female contraceptive (PFC) instructions.

STUDY DESIGN

We identified and purchased all currently available OTC PFCs (n=8), including Encare (Contraceptive Gel and Insert), F.C. Female Condom, Ortho Options (Conceptrol, Delfen and Gyncol II Jelly), Today Sponge and VCF Vaginal Film. Reading grade level was calculated using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. Text point size was measured and total number of graphics was tallied. Graphic dimensions were also measured. We also assessed OTC PFC instructions on four main criteria--derived from the "User-Friendliness Tool (UFT)"--including layout features, graphic characteristics, presence of a clear message and presentation of manageable information.

RESULTS

Reading level ranged from 8th to 12th grade (mean+/-SD=10.0+/-1.2). Mean page length was 24.4+/-7.0 cm (9.6+/-2.76 in.), while average page width was 20.3+/-13.8 cm (7.99+/-5.43 in.). Average text point size was 7.9+/-2.3 (range=6-12). Illustrations, predominantly line drawings, were used throughout (range=3-11), and most were similar in size to a matchbox. None of the "How to Use" sections scored high in all criteria on the UFT.

CONCLUSIONS

"How to Use" sections of OTC PFC instructions should be revised to be easier to read and more user friendly. Ideally, the gap between "typical" and "perfect" contraceptive efficacy could potentially be narrowed if instructions were developed that the large majority of women could easily understand.

Readability of skin cancer prevention brochures targeting parents of young children

Long-term exposure to UV radiation and severe sunburns increase one's risk of experiencing malignant melanoma later in life, so parents need to be informed about how to protect children from overexposure to the sun. We attempted to determine readability of skin cancer brochures targeted toward parents of young children. SMOG and FOG readability formulas were applied to 8 brochures published by the American Cancer Society, Skin Cancer Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology, and the Anti-Cancer Council. Readability levels of the brochures ranged between the 8th and 12th grade levels. To reduce the incidence of skin cancer, sun-safe knowledge and behavior should start in childhood. Pediatricians need access to brochures written at readability levels for the average parent. Skin cancer brochures written at the eighth or ninth grade comprehension levels may allow pediatricians to educate more parents about the importance of skin cancer prevention in childhood.

Why do condoms break or slip off in use? An exploratory study

Men attending 3 sexually transmissible disease clinics and a university health clinic in Sydney, Australia, were invited to complete a questionnaire on their use of condoms. Respondents were 108 male condom user volunteers aged 18 to 62 years; in the last five years 47 had had sex with men, 18 with both men and women and 43 only with women. They reported using a total of 4809 condoms in the previous 12 months (condoms worn by a male partner were not included). The overall breakage rate was 4.9% (including condoms breaking during application), while 3.1% of condoms reportedly slipped off. On a multivariate analysis, condom breakage correlated with: (1) male sexual partner(s), (2) infrequent condom use, (3) rolling the condom on as per conventional instructions (modified application methods appeared protective) and (4) having trouble with condoms partially slipping. Factors associated with condoms slipping off were (1) young age, (2) being circumcised, (3) having less life-time condom experience, (4) rolling the condom on conventionally, and (5) having trouble with condoms partially slipping. Few men used inappropriate lubricants and no association between lubricant type and breakage was found. Though common among our respondents, negative attitudes towards condoms, loss of erection during condom application or use, finding condoms uncomfortable, and prolonged sexual intercourse were not related to success in use. Almost half (49%) of the men reported having deliberately removed a condom after the beginning of intercourse; 17% had done so 3 or more times. Counselling protocols should acknowledge the complexity of condom use.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)