DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the patient information leaflets (PILs) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: The PILs were prepared in English by referring to primary, secondary, and tertiary resources. Readability of the PIL was assessed using the Flesch reading ease (FRE) test, Flesch–Kincaid grade level (FKGL), and user readability methods. User opinion on PILs content and design was obtained from T2DM patients (n=40). The Baker Able Leaflet Design (BALD) method was used to assess the layout and design characteristics of the PILs. Results: The FRE and FKGL readability scores were 62.9 and 6.6, respectively. The BALD criteria scores for English and Nepali PILs were 29 and 25, respectively. The overall user testing readability mean scores were significantly improved from 47.5 to 97.25. 90% of T2DM patients rated the PILs as good design and content. Most of them were housewife female patients (mean age 57.725) with a primary level of education and belonged to the upper-lower class of socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The developed PILs met the standard criteria for easy reading and comprehension. The majority of them had a good opinion on the content and design of the PILs.