Contraception
Volume 79, Issue 3 , Pages 199-205, March 2009

Comprehension of a prototype emergency contraception package label by female adolescents☆☆☆

  • Elizabeth G. Raymond

      Affiliations

    • Family Health International, PO Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 919 544 7040.
    • ,
  • Kelly Ladin L’Engle

      Affiliations

    • Family Health International, PO Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • ,
  • Elizabeth E. Tolley

      Affiliations

    • Family Health International, PO Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • ,
  • Nancy Ricciotti

      Affiliations

    • Duramed Research, Inc., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, USA
    • ,
  • Martha V. Arnold

      Affiliations

    • PharmApprove, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA
    • ,
  • Sola Park

      Affiliations

    • Family Health International, PO Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA

Received 23 May 2008; received in revised form 25 August 2008; accepted 13 September 2008. published online 13 November 2008.

Abstract 

Background

We evaluated female adolescents' comprehension of a prototype over-the-counter package label for an emergency contraceptive pill product.

Study Design

Volunteers aged 12–17 years who could read English were recruited at malls and clinics in six United States metropolitan areas. After completing a literacy assessment, subjects examined the prototype package and answered 20 questions that assessed understanding of six key concepts related to appropriate use of the product.

Results

The analysis population included 335 subjects, 54 to 59 of each year of age between 12 and 17 years. When asked what the product is used for, 264 respondents (79%) specifically indicated contraception. The six key concepts were each understood by 83–96% of subjects. In all 24 population subgroups examined, each key concept was understood by at least 72% of subjects.

Conclusion

Female adolescents aged 17 years and younger understand the prototype package label well enough to enable safe and effective use without assistance from a clinician.

Keywords: Emergency contraception, Label comprehension, Over-the-counter, Adolescents

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☆ Support for this study was provided by Duramed Research, Bala Cynwyd, PA, USA.

☆☆ The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Family Health International.

PII: S0010-7824(08)00455-1

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2008.09.004

Contraception
Volume 79, Issue 3 , Pages 199-205, March 2009

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