Reviewing print materials for oral contraceptives: directions for the future.

Globally oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most widely used reversible modern method for contraception. Over the past 30 years researchers have investigated the role that print materials play in improving patient compliance with short- and long-term drug therapies including OCs. This report presents a review of this research with a focus on the pill in the US and international markets. The US literature assesses the nature and effectiveness of patient package inserts which are provided by manufacturers or service outlets when a prescription is dispensed. For historic reasons these materials have been a focus of debate and study in the US. The international literature focuses mainly on other kinds of print materials that are distributed by service providers. The report also goes beyond the existing literature to present an evaluation of the accuracy readability and design of 140 different OC print materials collected worldwide. Based on the literature and materials evaluation Program for Appropriate Technology in Health developed a set of recommendations for the design and distribution of high-quality print materials that will hopefully open pathways to clear and consistent information for more people--distributors physicians pharmacists counselors and OC users.