Selected Illustrations for Low-literacy Audiences

Whenever possible, health education and information materials should be made available in the local language and at the average reading level of the intended audience. For audiences with low literacy levels, it may be helpful to develop materials that convey key messages through illustrations and captions. The sample drawings included in this document are drawn from Concept Foundation, Ipas, and PATH materials used in a variety of settings and are meant to serve as a helpful starting point for those interested in developing their own culturally appropriate illustrations.

Programs wishing to include illustrations in their materials for women or other audiences can work with a local artist to adapt the examples below. For more information on developing materials, see “Adapting Medabon® Materials for Local Use.”

Please note that we do not recommend giving this document to women directly. The illustrations below are intended to be adapted and presented to women in the context of full discussion regarding the medical abortion process.


Illustrations for Medabon® Administration

These images can be adapted to convey how women should open the Medabon® blister pack.


This image can be adapted to convey how women should take the first pill, mifepristone. It may help to emphasize that the first pill is the round pill.



This image can be adapted to convey when misoprostol should be administered following mifepristone administration (24 to 48 hours later).



These images can be adapted to convey how women should take the misoprostol pills if they choose vaginal administration. Women should be reminded that they will need to insert each of the four ovular misoprostol pills one at a time.


This image can be adapted to convey how women should take the misoprostol pills if they choose sublingual administration. Please see page 8 of the “Medical and Service Delivery Guidelines” for specific sublingual administration instructions




Illustrations of Side Effects

These images can be adapted to convey normal or expected side effects following use of Medabon®.




Illustrations of Possible Signs of Complications

The following images can be adapted to convey severe side effects of Medabon® that may require medical attention. As with all illustrations, these images should be explained to women in the full context of signs that emergency care is needed. For more information, please see page 10 of the “Medical and Service Delivery Guidelines.”



Emphasize that women should seek emergency medical care if they experience persistent, heavy bleeding to the point where they feel sick or weak, or if they soak more than two sanitary pads per hour for more than two consecutive hours.



Emphasize that women should seek emergency medical care if they experience very severe, continuous, or increasing abdominal pain that is unrelieved by medication, rest, a hot water bottle, or a heating pad.



Emphasize that women should seek emergency medical care if they experience a fever of 38°C/100.4°F or higher continuing for more than the day following misoprostol use.