Readability of malaria medicine information leaflets in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the readability of malaria medicines information leaflets available in Nigeria. Methods: Fourty five leaflets were assessed using the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) readability test and by examining them for paper type, font size type, use of symbols and pictograms, and bilingual information. Results: The SMOG readability data revealed that the mean United State reading grade level for malaria medicines information leaflets available in Nigeria was 13.69 ± 1.70. This value is equivalent to a tertiary level of education in Nigeria. The study also revealed that 6.7% of the leaflets were glossy; 6.7% contained symbols and pictograms; 42.2% of the leaflets had a font type size < 8; and only 2.2% of the leaflets were produced in both English language and one of the major local languages of Nigeria. Conclusion: Malaria medicine information leaflets available in the Nigerian market are not readable to the majority of the population. There is need for pharmaceutical companies to produce readable medicine information leaflets. © Pharmacotherapy Group.