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Table 3 Factor structure of over-the-counter drug label reading level by age group

From: Mediation effects of medication information processing and adherence on association between health literacy and quality of life

Items

Factor loading

Total (n = 305) mean ± SD

Young adults (n = 141) mean ± SD

Older adults (n = 164) mean ± SD

p-value

Factor I. Reading cautions and warnings

 Cold medicine: The people with any of the following cases must not taking this medication

0.77

3.30 ± 1.31

3.00 ± 1.27

3.56 ± 1.28

< 0.001

 Cold medicine: Do not take this medication with following medication

0.79

3.33 ± 1.38

2.89 ± 1.41

3.71 ± 1.23

< 0.001

 Cold medicine: Ask a healthcare professional if you have any of the following health conditions

0.87

2.88 ± 1.35

2.47 ± 1.33

3.24 ± 1.27

< 0.001

 Cold medicine: Stop taking this medication and consult with a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following symptoms

0.86

2.86 ± 1.34

2.46 ± 1.31

3.21 ± 1.27

< 0.001

 Digestive medicine: Stop taking this medication and consult with a healthcare professional for following cases.

0.79

3.60 ± 1.19

3.33 ± 1.21

3.83 ± 1.12

< 0.001

 Digestive medicine: Where to report if you experience any side effects

0.76

2.63 ± 1.48

2.08 ± 1.29

3.11 ± 1.46

< 0.001

 Digestive medicine: Storage information

0.71

3.04 ± 1.42

2.66 ± 1.44

3.37 ± 1.32

< 0.001

 Pediatric NSAID: The people with any of the following cases must not taking this medication

0.81

2.87 ± 1.44

3.13 ± 1.19

3.81 ± 1.13

< 0.001

 Pediatric NSAID: Do not take this medication with other NSAIDs and avoid overdosing

0.86

3.40 ± 1.26

3.09 ± 1.26

3.68 ± 1.19

< 0.001

 Pediatric NSAID: Ask a healthcare professional about taking this medication if you have any of the following conditions

0.90

3.05 ± 1.40

2.54 ± 1.34

3.48 ± 1.30

< 0.001

 Pediatric NSAID: Stop taking this medication if you experience any of the following symptoms

0.85

2.92 ± 1.35

2.43 ± 1.28

3.35 ± 1.26

< 0.001

 Pediatric NSAID: Warnings

0.81

2.96 ± 1.39

2.57 ± 1.39

3.29 ± 1.30

< 0.001

 Pediatric NSAID: When taking this medication for cold symptoms, do not take this medication for more than 5 days

0.76

3.05 ± 1.43

2.67 ± 1.43

3.37 ± 1.35

< 0.001

Factor II. Reading uses and dosage

 Cold medicine label: Uses

0.68

4.30 ± 0.91

4.37 ± 0.83

4.24 ± 0.98

0.21

 Cold medicine label: Dosage

0.68

4.55 ± 0.81

4.56 ± 0.83

4.55 ± 0.80

0.90

 Digestive medicine label: Uses

0.78

4.38 ± 0.84

4.30 ± 0.96

4.34 ± 0.87

0.73

 Digestive medicine label: Dosage

0.82

4.52 ± 0.78

4.40 ± 0.97

4.51 ± 0.74

0.24

 Pediatric NSAID label: Uses

0.77

4.32 ± 0.91

4.32 ± 0.86

4.43 ± 0.82

0.26

 Pediatric NSAID label: Dosage

0.69

4.46 ± 0.85

4.38 ± 0.93

4.63 ± 0.60

< 0.05

Factor III. Reading active ingredients and product type

 Digestive medicine: Active ingredients

0.81

2.17 ± 1.22

1.91 ± 1.11

2.38 ± 1.28

< 0.01

 Digestive medicine: Product type

0.82

2.53 ± 1.41

2.28 ± 1.37

2.74 ± 1.42

< 0.01

 Pediatric NSAID: Active ingredients

0.80

2.48 ± 1.35

2.28 ± 1.32

2.65 ± 1.36

< 0.05

 Pediatric NSAID: Product type

0.83

2.70 ± 1.41

2.47 ± 1.38

2.90 ± 1.41

< 0.01

  1. Abbreviations: n number, SD standard deviation, NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
  2. Factor I: Reading cautions and warnings: Cronbach α = 0.96; eigenvalue = 11.43; total variance explained = 49.73%
  3. Factor II: Reading dosage and uses: Cronbach α = 0.88; eigenvalue = 3.02, total variance explained = 13.14%
  4. Factor III: Reading active ingredients and product type: Cronbach α = 0.89; eigenvalue = 1.42, total variance explained = 6.18%