Assessment of patients' attitudes and actions toward Patient Information Leaflets in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

This study evaluated patients' attitudes and behaviors toward patient information leaflets (PILs) in Jordan. In detail, we highlighted patients' willingness to use PILs and determined predictors of PIL reading in the Jordanian population.

To assess patients' attitudes and actions toward PILs, we conducted a cross-sectional study targeting patients in the 3 Jordanian regions (north, middle, and south). Convenience and snowball sampling were used, and predictors for reading PILs were determined using multiple logistic regression. In addition, chi-square test and McNemar's test were used for univariate and paired data analysis, respectively. Patients were invited to fill out a special online questionnaire developed by the authors via Google Forms. Consent was obtained from all participants, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The total number of participants was 343; 235 (68.5%) were female. Our study found a high prevalence of PIL reading in our Jordanian sample (87.2%). Indications of the medication (80.6%), side effects (77.9%), and how to use it (63.5%) were the most frequently read sections of PILs. Marital status, female gender, and lower income predicted higher odds of reading PILs (P < 0.05 for all). Polypharmacy was associated with not reading PILs (P < 0.001). Among those who do not read PILs, the adequacy of the information provided by the physician was the most common reason (52.3%), followed by an unsuitable font size (29.5%).

Overall, PIL reading among patients in Jordan is satisfactory. However, in vulnerable populations with polypharmacy, the results are unsatisfactory.