Daniel K L, Goldman K D, Lachenmayr S, Erickson J D, Moore C
Birth Defects and Pediatric Genetics Branch, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA.
Teratology. 2001 Sep;64(3):148-53. doi: 10.1002/tera.1058.
Warning symbols are used on teratogenic medications to communicate the message that women should (1) not take that medication if they may already be pregnant, and (2) not get pregnant while taking that medication. Communications research indicates that people interpret symbols or pictures in different ways. Other studies have shown that patients do not always receive education materials that are part of prescription protocol. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tested the interpretation of the teratogen warning symbol and its ability to convey the correct information without accompanying education.
A teratogen warning symbol currently printed on some medication packaging uses graphics and text warning the user not to get pregnant. Researchers interviewed women of childbearing age about their interpretation of the warning symbol and its meaning. Ninety-seven women were interviewed in a variety of locations, including public health clinics, literacy and job training offices, health clubs, and malls.
Only 21% of women interpreted correctly without prompting that they should either not take the medication if they are pregnant or not get pregnant while taking the medication. Twenty-seven percent of women first thought the symbol meant the package contained birth control medication, and 24% said it simply indicated the package contained drugs or medicine. An additional 7% said they did not know what the symbol was supposed to mean; 39% of respondents offered circumstances in which prescription medications might be shared.
Misinterpretation of warning symbols can result in serious consequences. This research should serve as an urgent call for mandating education for all patients receiving drugs with teratogenic properties, and careful pretesting and modification of warning symbols before they are used on medications with teratogenic effects. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
致畸药物上使用警示符号，以传达这样的信息：（1）如果女性可能已经怀孕，就不应服用该药物；（2）服用该药物期间不应怀孕。传播研究表明，人们对符号或图片的理解各不相同。其他研究显示，患者并非总能收到作为处方规程一部分的教育材料。疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）的研究人员测试了致畸警示符号的解读情况及其在无附带说明时传达正确信息的能力。
目前印在一些药物包装上的致畸警示符号使用图形和文字提醒使用者不要怀孕。研究人员就育龄女性对警示符号及其含义的理解进行了访谈。在包括公共卫生诊所、扫盲和职业培训办公室、健身俱乐部及商场在内的多个场所，对97名女性进行了访谈。
只有21%的女性在未得到提示的情况下能正确解读出，如果她们怀孕就不应服用该药物，或者服用该药物期间不应怀孕。27%的女性最初认为该符号表示包装内含有避孕药，24%的女性表示它只是表明包装内含有药品。另外7%的女性表示她们不知道该符号是什么意思；39%的受访者提到了处方药可能被分享的情况。
对警示符号的误解可能导致严重后果。这项研究应迫切呼吁对所有接受具有致畸性药物的患者进行强制教育，并在致畸性药物使用警示符号之前进行仔细的预测试和修改。2001年由威利 - 利斯公司出版。
