Interpretation of drug label instructions: a study among four immigrants groups in the Netherlands.
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).


CONCLUSIONS
Incorrect interpretation of certain drug label instructions occurred among the majority of both immigrants and natives.
Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80082, 3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands, e.koster@uu.nl.
Ellen S
ES
Koster
Lyda
L
Blom
Nina A
NA
Winters
Rolf P
RP
van Hulten
Marcel L
ML
Bouvy
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands