Effectiveness of native language prescription in improving medication knowledge

Background: Knowledge on medication is a crucial factor for medication adherence and minimizing medication errors. The objective of the present study was to analyze differences in medication knowledge before and after provision of a native language prescription.Methods: A convenient sample of 200 patients (age >18 years) was invited for the study. All the participants were provided with a prescription in their native language. Knowledge on medication was assessed before and 2 months after the intervention using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Mean knowledge scores before and after the intervention were compared.Results: Follow up data were available for 161 patients. Majority (61.5%, n=99) were females. Sinhala was the primary language of 73.9% (n=119) of participants, followed by Tamil 25.4% (n=41). A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean knowledge scores on prescribed medications before and after provision of native language prescription (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a statistically significant increase in predetermined categories of ‘adequate’ and ‘good’ knowledge was also noted. Significant associations were noted between the patients’ education level and knowledge of prescribed medications (p=0.031).Conclusion: This indicates the effectiveness of native language prescriptions to improve medication related knowledge.