Interpretations of a teratogen warning symbol.
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND Warning symbols are used on teratogenic medications to communicate the message that women should (1) not take that medication if they may already be pregnant, and (2) not get pregnant while taking that medication. Communications research indicates that people interpret symbols or pictures in different ways. Other studies have shown that patients do not always receive education materials that are part of prescription protocol. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tested the interpretation of the teratogen warning symbol and its ability to convey the correct information without accompanying education. METHODS A teratogen warning symbol currently printed on some medication packaging uses graphics and text warning the user not to get pregnant. Researchers interviewed women of childbearing age about their interpretation of the warning symbol and its meaning. Ninety-seven women were interviewed in a variety of locations, including public health clinics, literacy and job training offices, health clubs, and malls. RESULTS Only 21% of women interpreted correctly without prompting that they should either not take the medication if they are pregnant or not get pregnant while taking the medication. Twenty-seven percent of women first thought the symbol meant the package contained birth control medication, and 24% said it simply indicated the package contained drugs or medicine. An additional 7% said they did not know what the symbol was supposed to mean; 39% of respondents offered circumstances in which prescription medications might be shared. CONCLUSIONS Misinterpretation of warning symbols can result in serious consequences. This research should serve as an urgent call for mandating education for all patients receiving drugs with teratogenic properties, and careful pretesting and modification of warning symbols before they are used on medications with teratogenic effects. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
منابع مشابه
بررسی تراتوژن های مهم اثرگذار بر رشد رویان
The period while embryo is taking form is an essential process in human’s growth. The embryo is very sensitive to the womb’s environment as such that any damages during this period can have irreparable effects on it. Teratogen is a name given for damaging factors to the embryo during the pregnancy. Generally, Teratogen Include environmental and mother-related factors. However, the precise ana...
متن کاملInvestigate light Zoroastrian mysticism and expressed its similarities with Sufism of Molana
Zoroastrianism of the oldest religions, which contains principles and a genuine mystical and profound influence on Eastern and Western religions have. Undoubtedly, the mysticism than any other discipline, Zoroastrian heritage conservation and new and appropriate interpretations of Islam has been presented. We should pay to this point regarding the light importance in Zoroastrian mysticism فاشفn...
متن کاملImplications for Warning Symbol Design
IN BRIEF •To investigate age-related differences in warning symbol comprehension, younger and older adults were tested on their comprehension for symbols varying on familiarity, complexity and comprehensibility. •Older adults’ comprehension was poorer than younger adults both before and after training. •More familiar and more comprehensible symbols were more easily understood by both younger an...
متن کاملCultural ergonomics in Ghana, West Africa: a descriptive survey of industry and trade workers' interpretations of safety symbols.
Globalization and technology transfer have led to the diffusion of risk communications to users from cultures that were not initially viewed as the target users. This study examined industry and trade workers' overall impressions of symbols used to convey varying degrees of hazardousness. Six symbols, including symbols from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z535 Standard (ANSI, 1...
متن کاملBiohazards symbol: development of a biological hazards warning signal.
The need for a symbol to warn of potential infection hazards became apparent during Public Health Service contract work on the development of containment facilities for virus-leukemia research. A program of direct inquiry and a search of the literature revealed that there was no universally used signal and that scientific and safety organizations concurred in the need for one. Criteria for symb...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
- Teratology
دوره 64 3 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2001