title: Readability of the childhood immunization information forms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the reading level required to understand childhood immunization information forms with the reading grade level of an inner-city parent/caretaker population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study (parents/caretakers).
  
  
  METHODS
  Inner-city pediatric clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty English-speaking, low-income parent/caretakers.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reading level of our parent population ranged from grades 2.9 to 13.3, with a median grade level of 6.90. The reading levels required for the three vaccine information pamphlets issued in 1992 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, Ga) averaged 11.1 (approximately at the level of a high school junior). Eighty-six percent of our parents/caretakers did not have a reading level sufficient to cope with the easiest of the forms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The vaccine information pamphlets require a reading level beyond the capability of the vast majority of our parent population. Therefore, the goal of informed consent clearly is not being met.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Melman
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Caloustian
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Anbar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D032882:Comprehension; D032962:Consent Forms; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D033282:Parental Consent; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics; D011932:Reading; D035862:Vulnerable Populations