A Pictogram-Based Intervention to Reduce Parental Liquid Medication Errors: Health Literacy Approach

Abstract

Evidence suggests that parents and caregivers make frequent errors when administering liquid medications to children. These errors, which include inaccurate dosing as well as non-adherence to medication regimens, place children at risk for morbidity and mortality. The study aim to explore the effectiveness of pictogram based intervention in reducing caregivers' liquid medication errors as well as the extent to which health literacy impacts medication errors. Quasi-experimental study of caregivers (n=250) of young children (<6 years) enrolled at primary pediatric clinic in Zagazig University hospital. A total of 250 caregivers (121 standard medication counseling and 129 pictogram based intervention) were assessed for health literacy by means of the Newest Vital Sign measure; 84.4%% had low health literacy (Newest Vital Sign score 0-3). Pictogram based intervention recipients were less likely to make errors in knowledge related to medication storage (26.6% vs. 63.3%) dose frequency (20.2% vs. 25%), and preparation compared with caregivers of standard medication counseling recipients (12.8% vs. 31.7%). Pictogram was an efficient way to reduce the prevalence of caregivers' liquid medication errors.

Using pictograms to assist caregivers in liquid medication administration: a systematic review

“…A total of 11 original studies that introduced new interventions to assist caregivers in administration of liquid medications were retained for full review. Five experimental studies met the inclusion criteria (Table ) . Of studies excluded, two did not assess the impact of pictographic interventions on caregivers, two used marked syringes, one used colour coding, and one used text‐only pamphlets …”

“…The majority of included studies were published in the last 10 years . Aside from one study published in the early 1990s, there were no publications that pre‐dated 2008.…”

“…Aside from one study published in the early 1990s, there were no publications that pre‐dated 2008. Two studies were undertaken in the United States, followed by one each from Kenya, Taiwan and Egypt . Four studies involved caregivers who presented to hospitals, whereas one was designed as a community‐based study .…”

“…Four studies recruited both parents and non‐parent caregivers, with mean ages ranging from 29·6 to 38·9 years, whereas one study involved only mothers aged in the range of 18–35 years (mean, 25 years) . Four studies reported the mean ages of children that ranged from 2 to 3·7 years .…”

“…Four studies recruited both parents and non‐parent caregivers, with mean ages ranging from 29·6 to 38·9 years, whereas one study involved only mothers aged in the range of 18–35 years (mean, 25 years) . Four studies reported the mean ages of children that ranged from 2 to 3·7 years . Two US studies focused predominantly on the ethnic minorities and immigrants (nearly 80%), and three Asian studies addressed mainly the local populations .…”