Nicole Lokker|Lee Sanders|Eliana M. Perrin|Disha Kumar|Joanne Finkle|Vivian I. Franco|Leena Choi|Philip E. Johnston|Russell L. Rothman
Parental Misinterpretations of Over-the-Counter Pediatric Cough and Cold Medication Labels
UW Health University Hospital|University of Miami|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Center for Health Care Services|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of Miami|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|Belmont University|Center for Health Care Services
concerns safety efficacy overthecounter cold medications led recent us food drug administration public health advisory use children 2 years age goal examine caregiver understanding age indication overthecounter cold medication labels identify factors associated caregiver understandingcaregivers infant children 1 year old recruited clinics 3 institutions questions administered regarding use 4 previously common infant overthecounter cold cough medicines labeled consult physician used children 2 years age literacy numeracy skills assessed validated instrumentsa total 182 caregivers recruited 87 infants mothers mean education level 125 years 99 adequate literacy skills 17 9thgrade numeracy skills examining front product label 86 time parents thought products appropriate use children 2 years age 50 time parents stated would give overthecounter products 13monthold child cold symptoms common factors influenced parental decisions included label saying infant graphics eg infants teddy bears droppers dosing directions caregivers influenced dosing directions 47 time caregivers lower numeracy skills likely provide inappropriate reasons giving overthecounter medicationmisunderstanding overthecounter cold products common could result harm medications given inappropriately label language graphics seem influence inappropriate interpretation overthecounter product age indications poorer parental numeracy skills may increase misinterpretation products opportunities exist food drug administration manufacturers revise existing labels improve parental comprehension enhance child safety