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. 2022 Dec 22;2(12):e0001267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001267

Table 1. Previously described and measured dimensions of treatment acceptability.

Dimension components and definitions Existing Dimensions of acceptability
The relationship between caregivers/children’s ability to use treatment as instructed to achieve appropriate adherence levels and health outcomes Acceptability [3, 21, 45, 46]
The relationship between the location of healthcare services and the location of patients (including factors like transport costs, travel time and distance to facilities). Accessibility [13, 14]
The relationship between health systems processes and patient’s perceptions of and ability to utilise health systems processes. Accommodation [13, 14, 47]
The relationship between healthcare costs and patients’ capacity to afford these (and correlated) costs. Affordability [1315]
The relationship between healthcare providers’ and patients’ attitudes about personal, behavioural and health characteristics, towards one another. Approachability [14, 47]
The relationship between the type and volume of healthcare services offered and those needed by caregivers/children. Availability [1315, 47]
The relationship between patients’ knowledge or understanding of available healthcare services and health workers knowledge Awareness [14]
All health facilities, goods, and services must be culturally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of caregivers/children of different genders and ages. Cultural sensitivity [20, 4850]
Response to treatment regimen (including packaging and treatments’ appeal, taste, smell, mouth feel and even sound) and ability to assimilate the treatment into everyday life (including the treatment’s preparation, administration, and storage) Dose palatability, frequency and route of administration [20, 49, 51]
Physiological response to the treatment regimen (which may be affected by age, comorbidities, or stage of development). Patient factors [20, 48, 52]
The design factors that affect the experience and ability to utilise the pharmaceutical product as intended. Usability [43, 53, 54]