Readability, suitability, actionability and understandability of malay-language patient education materials on asthma, tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

The 3 most prevalent respiratory diseases in Malaysia are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis (TB). Patient education materials (PEMs) have been utilised to deliver information about the disease, ways to manage and to prevent the conditions. Therefore, PEMs produced must be effective. Methods: Malay language PEMs on asthma, COPD and TB were assessed using Khadijah Rohani’s Readability Formula (KRRF), Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) instrument and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tools (PEMAT) by 2 independent assessors. Results: 11 eligible PEMs were found on the Internet with only 8 PEMs eligible for readability assessment. Overall, 62.5% of PEMs achieved recommended grade 6 level. PEMs attained a mean suitability score of 74% which was categorised as superior, however PEMs failed to provide summary (100%) and did not did not use captions to explain graphic (90.9%). PEMs attained a mean understandability score of 78% and a lower mean actionability score of 60%. Despite high understandability, PEMs did not necessarily have high actionability. Conclusion: Majority of Malay-language PEMs on asthma, COPD and TB found are readable, suitable and understandable for most Malaysians even though some improvements on actionability are required to produce more effective PEMs.