Impact of Vietnamese written and verbal medicine information on Vietnamese-speaking Australians' knowledge and satisfaction

Abstract

Aims: To develop three Vietnamese medicine information leaflets and to evaluate their impact in combination with verbal counselling (in Vietnamese) on consumers' medicine knowledge and satisfaction with the written information received.

Methods: Leaflets in Vietnamese were developed for three drug classes: biguanides, calcium channel blockers and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. A two-group (comparison and intervention), randomized, repeated measures design was used. The comparison group (n = 51) received routine verbal counselling in English. The intervention group (n = 44) received verbal and written information in Vietnamese. Australian Vietnamese-speaking consumers were recruited. Data on consumer knowledge and satisfaction were collected from both groups at three time points: baseline (prior to receiving leaflets and verbal counselling), at 1-2 weeks (first postintervention) and 8 weeks after receiving the information.

Results: All intervention group respondents were satisfied with the information. Mean medicine knowledge and satisfaction scores increased with time in the intervention group, and were significantly higher than in the comparison group (knowledge, F = 18.5, d.f. = 2, P < 0.0001; satisfaction, F = 19.8, d.f. = 2, P < 0.0001). The increases observed in the intervention group's mean knowledge and satisfaction scores at first postintervention were significantly higher compared with baseline for all drug classes.

Conclusions: Delivery of written and verbal medicine information in Vietnamese resulted in an increase in consumers' medicine knowledge and satisfaction with written information. This study highlights the importance of providing information in languages other than English and in consumers' native tongue to aid in the quality use of medicines.

Figure 1

Study design