International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
Volume 36, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 274-281

Interpretation of drug label instructions: A study among four immigrants groups in the Netherlands (Article)

Koster E.S.* , Blom L. , Winters N.A. , Van Hulten R.P. , Bouvy M.L.
  • a Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, Netherlands
  • b Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, Netherlands
  • c Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, Netherlands
  • d Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, Netherlands
  • e Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Poor understanding of medical instructions or misinterpretations can be a cause for not using medication as prescribed. Previous studies reported misunderstanding of instructions and warnings on drug labels by up to 50 % of the adult population. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess interpretation of drug label instructions in different migrant populations living in the Netherlands. Methods: Interpretation of drug label instructions was examined in four populations of first-generation immigrants from the Antilles (n = 168), Iran (n = 180), Surinam (n = 155), and Turkey (n = 188). Participants were recruited at meeting places (e.g., mosques and educational or cultural centers) for the particular ethnic group. First-year pharmacy students (n = 153) born in the Netherlands were included as reference group. Correct interpretation of drug label instructions was assessed using a survey with questions about five instructions. Results: Only two out of five presented instructions were interpreted correctly by the majority of the respondents of all groups. Higher levels of education, longer duration of stay, and native ethnicity were positively associated with correct interpretation of drug labels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Incorrect interpretation of certain drug label instructions occurred among the majority of both immigrants and natives. © 2013 Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschappij ter bevordering der Pharmacie.

Author Keywords

Drug label Migrants Health literacy ethnic background The Netherlands Interpretation

Index Keywords

education Netherlands Netherlands Antilles educational status immigrant comprehension drug information human middle aged ethnic group Turkey (republic) priority journal controlled study Aged length of stay language Iran Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study migrant Humans Adolescent Suriname male Emigrants and Immigrants female interpretation pharmacy student Article drug labeling adult human experiment normal human ethnicity
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84899918328&doi=10.1007%2fs11096-013-9873-x&partnerID=40&md5=284fd743a8c4f8240d7fe81d578939a4
DOI: 10.1007/s11096-013-9873-x
ISSN: 22107703
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English