Impact of the addition of pharmaceutical pictograms as visual aids on the comprehension of package inserts in students completing secondary education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60103/phc.v25i6.820Keywords:
health literacy; comprehension; drug package inserts; visual aidsAbstract
Introduction: Pharmaceutical Care requires that patients understand the information provided. The inclusion of visual aids could improve the comprehension of complex texts such as drug package inserts. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of pharmaceutical pictograms on the comprehension of elementary instructions for the use of drugs by students completing basic education.
Methods: Among a total of 309 participating students, 160 were randomized to read three frequently used drug package inserts (ibuprofen, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and omeprazole), while 149 received pictographs together with the package inserts. Randomization was alternated according to the position of the students in the classroom. Comprehension was estimated by means of basic questions on the use of drugs.
Results: In the control group only 38.75% of the students answered correctly when to take ibuprofen in relation to meals, 32.25% were right about the usual dose of the antibiotic and 61.88% identified the indication for omeprazole. In all three cases, significant differences in favor of understanding were found in the experimental group (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.23 - 3.05; p = 0.0041, OR = 3.87; 95% CI, 2.43 - 6.25; p = 10-7 and OR = 3.55; 95% CI, 2.07 - 6.29; p = 3.67x10-5 respectively).
Conclusions: The inclusion of pharmaceutical pictograms in package inserts is a simple strategy that could favor potentially the rational use of drugs.
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