Understanding of Prescription Medical Labels as a Function of Age,Culture,and Language

Abstract

Symbols are used to convey how and when to take medication and a number of dangers with use that should be avoided. Symbols also have the potential to convey important information to people despite differences in culture and language. This study evaluated 10 prescription medication labels under consideration for use in the Canadian medical system. The sample of 238 participants was composed of a number of subgroups; namely, from a university, a Chinese student association, English as a second language (ESL) courses, low literacy classes, and a senior citizens centre. Symbols that conveyed time or multiple concepts, such as how often to take a drug each day or over the course of a week, were poorly understood. Elderly, ESL, and Chinese groups had the lowest levels of comprehension. Other pictorials such as “do not take with alcohol” and “shake well before using” achieved ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) recommended comprehension levels (i.e., 67%). Discussion centers on comprehension difficulties with certain labels, group differences, and the importance of heterogenous sampling.

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