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Readability of Commercial and Generic Contraceptive Instructions
Author(s) -
Swanson Janice M.,
Forrest Katherine,
Ledbetter Carol,
Hall Susan,
Holstine Eva J.,
Shafer Michaela R.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
image: the journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 0743-5150
DOI - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.1990.tb00183.x
Subject(s) - readability , pill , comprehension , package insert , family medicine , medicine , computer science , medical education , multimedia , nursing , pharmacology , programming language
This study describes the readability levels of written instructions for methods of contraception. Materials studied include patient package inserts (PPIs) from commercial manufacturers and generic instructions (GIs) written by staff members in selected health agencies in the community and by health information publishers. Written materials were analyzed using Dale‐Chall, Fry, Fog Flesh, Flesch‐Kincaid and SMOG formulas for readability. Readability levels ranged from elementary school (grade 5.5) to college (grade 13.6). Required comprehension levels of the PPIs were higher than those of the GIs for three of the four groups of contraceptives studied (diaphragms, pills, condoms).