Comprehension of a prototype over-the-counter label for an emergency contraceptive pill product.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
This study was designed to evaluate comprehension of a prototype over-the-counter package label for an emergency contraceptive pill product.

METHODS:
Interviews were conducted with 663 women in malls and family planning clinics in eight United States cities. The sample included many young and minority women and women of low literacy. After looking at the package, subjects were asked 30 questions that addressed 11 communication objectives about indications, contraindications, instructions, side effects, and management of serious complications. Most questions asked whether or not use of the product would be appropriate in a described situation.

RESULTS:
Seven of the 11 communication objectives were each understood by more than 85% of subjects. Most women in the study understood the most important objectives:
that the product is indicated for prevention of pregnancy after unprotected sex (93%), that the first pill should be taken within 72 hours or as soon as possible after intercourse (97%), that the product should not be used by women who are already pregnant (98%), and that the product does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases or human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (94%). More-literate women were more likely to understand the objectives than less-literate women.

CONCLUSION:
These results indicate that by reading the prototype label, most women could understand key information necessary for safe and effective use of this product.

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Author information

Author/s: Raymond, Elizabeth G (EG); Dalebout, Sandra M (SM); Camp, Sharon I (SI);

Affiliation: Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. eraymond(-atsign-)fhi.org

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Obstetrics and gynecology (Obstet Gynecol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Aug; vol 100 (issue 2) : pp 342-9

Dates: Created 2002/08/01; Completed 2002/08/22; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 12151161, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Cognition
Consumer Product Safety
Contraceptives, Postcoital - pharmacology
Drug Labeling
Female
Humans

Associated Chemicals: Contraceptives, Postcoital (0) ; Nonprescription Drugs (0)

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