QR-Specialized Information Guidance Nexus (QR-SIGN): Enhancing OTC Medication knowledge and Adherence of the Deaf Community

Abstract

Hearing impairment poses significant challenges in understanding over-the-counter (OTC) medication instructions, often leading to misuse, low adherence, and poor health outcomes. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the QR-Specialized Information Guidance Nexus (QR-SIGN), a QR code-based tool that provides medication instructions through Filipino Sign Language videos to improve knowledge and promote adherence among Deaf individuals. A quasi-experimental, non-randomized pretest-posttest control group design was conducted with 30 Deaf participants from Koronadal City, equally divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group accessed QR-SIGN, while the control group received no additional support. Results showed significant improvements in knowledge scores— paracetamol (20.00 to 76.67), ibuprofen (26.67 to 71.67), and phenylephrine (33.33 to 63.33)—and adherence (2.95 to 3.72). The intervention group also reported an overall mean satisfaction rating of 4.39, interpreted as Excellent and Very Satisfied. These findings demonstrate that QR-SIGN effectively enhances medication literacy, adherence, and user satisfaction among Deaf individuals.