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Xian X, Neuwirth RJ, Chang A. Government-Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Collaboration in Macao's COVID-19 Vaccine Promotion: Social Media Case Study. JMIR INFODEMIOLOGY 2024; 4:e51113. [PMID: 38502184 PMCID: PMC10988378 DOI: 10.2196/51113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented global vaccination efforts, with social media being a popular tool for vaccine promotion. OBJECTIVE This study probes into Macao's COVID-19 vaccine communication dynamics, with a focus on the multifaceted impacts of government agendas on social media. METHODS We scrutinized 22,986 vaccine-related Facebook posts from January 2020 to August 2022 in Macao. Using automated content analysis and advanced statistical methods, we unveiled intricate agenda dynamics between government and nongovernment entities. RESULTS "Vaccine importance" and "COVID-19 risk" were the most prominent topics co-occurring in the overall vaccine communication. The government tended to emphasize "COVID-19 risk" and "vaccine effectiveness," while regular users prioritized vaccine safety and distribution, indicating a discrepancy in these agendas. Nonetheless, the government has limited impact on regular users in the aspects of vaccine importance, accessibility, affordability, and trust in experts. The agendas of government and nongovernment users intertwined, illustrating complex interactions. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals the influence of government agendas on public discourse, impacting environmental awareness, public health education, and the social dynamics of inclusive communication during health crises. Inclusive strategies, accommodating public concerns, and involving diverse stakeholders are paramount for effective social media communication during health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechang Xian
- Department of Publicity, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, China
- Department of Communication, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Rostam J Neuwirth
- Department of Global Legal Studies, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Angela Chang
- Department of Communication, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
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González-Salinas AI, Andrade EL, Abroms LC, Gómez K, Favetto C, Gómez VM, Collins KK. Latino Parents' Reactions to and Engagement With a Facebook Group-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Promotion Intervention: Mixed Methods Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e51331. [PMID: 38483457 PMCID: PMC10979334 DOI: 10.2196/51331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Misinformation in Spanish on social media platforms has contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Latino parents. Brigada Digital de Salud was established to disseminate credible, science-based information about COVID-19 in Spanish on social media. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess participants' reactions to and engagement with Brigada Digital content that sought to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among US Latino parents and their children. METHODS We conducted a 5-week intervention in a private, moderator-led Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc) group with Spanish-speaking Latino parents of children aged ≤18 years (N=55). The intervention participants received 3 to 4 daily Brigada Digital posts and were encouraged to discuss the covered topics through comments and polls. To assess participants' exposure, reactions, and engagement, we used participants' responses to a web-based survey administered at 2 time points (baseline and after 5 weeks) and Facebook analytics to calculate the average number of participant views, reactions, and comments. Descriptive statistics were assessed for quantitative survey items, qualitative responses were thematically analyzed, and quotes were selected to illustrate the themes. RESULTS Overall, 101 posts were published. Most participants reported visiting the group 1 to 3 times (22/55, 40%) or 4 to 6 (18/55, 33%) times per week and viewing 1 to 2 (23/55, 42%) or 3 to 4 (16/55, 29%) posts per day. Facebook analytics validated this exposure, with 36 views per participant on average. The participants reacted positively to the intervention. Most participants found the content informative and trustworthy (49/55, 89%), easy to understand, and presented in an interesting manner. The participants thought that the moderators were well informed (51/55, 93%) and helpful (50/55, 91%) and praised them for being empathic and responsive. The participants viewed the group environment as welcoming and group members as friendly (45/55, 82%) and supportive (19/55, 35%). The 3 most useful topics for participants were the safety and efficacy of adult COVID-19 vaccines (29/55, 53%), understanding child risk levels (29/55, 53%), and the science behind COVID-19 (24/55, 44%). The preferred formats were educational posts that could be read (38/55, 69%) and videos, including expert (28/55, 51%) and instructional (26/55, 47%) interviews. Regarding engagement, most participants self-reported reacting to posts 1 to 2 (16/55, 29%) or 3 to 4 (15/55, 27%) times per week and commenting on posts 1 to 2 (16/55, 29%) or <1 (20/55, 36%) time per week. This engagement level was validated by analytics, with 10.6 reactions and 3 comments per participant, on average, during the 5 weeks. Participants recommended more opportunities for engagement, such as interacting with the moderators in real time. CONCLUSIONS With adequate intervention exposure and engagement and overall positive participant reactions, the findings highlight the promise of this digital approach for COVID-19 vaccine-related health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kaitlyn Gómez
- California State University, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Carla Favetto
- George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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Buller DB, Sussman AL, Thomson CA, Kepka D, Taren D, Henry KL, Warner EL, Walkosz BJ, Woodall WG, Nuss K, Blair CK, Guest DD, Borrayo EA, Gordon JS, Hatcher J, Wetter DW, Kinsey A, Jones CF, Yung AK, Christini K, Berteletti J, Torres JA, Barraza Perez EY, Small A. #4Corners4Health Social Media Cancer Prevention Campaign for Emerging Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Stepped-Wedge Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e50392. [PMID: 38386396 PMCID: PMC10921336 DOI: 10.2196/50392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many emerging adults (EAs) are prone to making unhealthy choices, which increase their risk of premature cancer morbidity and mortality. In the era of social media, rigorous research on interventions to promote health behaviors for cancer risk reduction among EAs delivered over social media is limited. Cancer prevention information and recommendations may reach EAs more effectively over social media than in settings such as health care, schools, and workplaces, particularly for EAs residing in rural areas. OBJECTIVE This pragmatic randomized trial aims to evaluate a multirisk factor intervention using a social media campaign designed with community advisers aimed at decreasing cancer risk factors among EAs. The trial will target EAs from diverse backgrounds living in rural counties in the Four Corners states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. METHODS We will recruit a sample of EAs (n=1000) aged 18 to 26 years residing in rural counties (Rural-Urban Continuum Codes 4 to 9) in the Four Corners states from the Qualtrics' research panel and enroll them in a randomized stepped-wedge, quasi-experimental design. The inclusion criteria include English proficiency and regular social media engagement. A social media intervention will promote guideline-related goals for increased physical activity, healthy eating, and human papillomavirus vaccination and reduced nicotine product use, alcohol intake, and solar UV radiation exposure. Campaign posts will cover digital and media literacy skills, responses to misinformation, communication with family and friends, and referral to community resources. The intervention will be delivered over 12 months in Facebook private groups and will be guided by advisory groups of community stakeholders and EAs and focus groups with EAs. The EAs will complete assessments at baseline and at 12, 26, 39, 52, and 104 weeks after randomization. Assessments will measure 6 cancer risk behaviors, theoretical mediators, and participants' engagement with the social media campaign. RESULTS The trial is in its start-up phase. It is being led by a steering committee. Team members are working in 3 subcommittees to optimize community engagement, the social media intervention, and the measures to be used. The Stakeholder Organization Advisory Board and Emerging Adult Advisory Board were formed and provided initial input on the priority of cancer risk factors to target, social media use by EAs, and community resources available. A framework for the social media campaign with topics, format, and theoretical mediators has been created, along with protocols for campaign management. CONCLUSIONS Social media can be used as a platform to counter misinformation and improve reliable health information to promote health behaviors that reduce cancer risks among EAs. Because of the popularity of web-based information sources among EAs, an innovative, multirisk factor intervention using a social media campaign has the potential to reduce their cancer risk behaviors. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05618158; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05618158. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/50392.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew L Sussman
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Care Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Cynthia A Thomson
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Deanna Kepka
- College of Nursing and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Douglas Taren
- Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kimberly L Henry
- Department of Psychology, College of Natural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Echo L Warner
- College of Nursing and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | | | | | - Kayla Nuss
- Klein Buendel, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Cindy K Blair
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Care Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Dolores D Guest
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Care Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Evelinn A Borrayo
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Judith S Gordon
- College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | - David W Wetter
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | | | - Christopher F Jones
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Angela K Yung
- College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kaila Christini
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | | | - John A Torres
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Care Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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Woodall WG, Buller D, Saltz R, Martinez L. Professional Development to Improve Responsible Beverage Service Training: Formative Research Results and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e49680. [PMID: 38265847 PMCID: PMC10851124 DOI: 10.2196/49680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improved interventions are needed to reduce the rate of driving while intoxicated. Responsible beverage service (RBS) training has reduced service to intoxicated patrons in licensed premises in several studies. Its efficacy might be improved by increasing the proper application and continued use of RBS with a professional development program in the 3 to 5 years between the required RBS retraining. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop and evaluate a professional development component for an RBS training that aims to improve the effectiveness of the web-based training alone. METHODS In a 2-phase project, we are creating a professional development component for alcohol servers after completing an RBS training. The first phase involved formative research on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of components. Semistructured interviews with owners and managers of licensed establishments and focus groups and a survey with alcohol servers in New Mexico and Washington State examined support for RBS and the need for ongoing professional development to support RBS. A prototype of a professional development component, WayToServe Plus, was produced for delivery in social media posts on advanced RBS skills, support from experienced servers, professionalism, and basic management training. The prototype was evaluated in a usability survey and a field pilot study with alcohol servers in California, New Mexico, and Washington State. The second phase of the project will include full production of the professional development component. It will be delivered in Facebook private groups over 12 months and evaluated with a sample of licensed premises (ie, bars and restaurants) in California, New Mexico, and Washington State (n=180) in a 2-group randomized field trial (WayToServe training only vs WayToServe training and WayToServe Plus). Licensed establishments will be assessed for refusal of sales to apparently intoxicated pseudopatrons at baseline and 12 months after the intervention commences. RESULTS Although owners and managers (n=10) and alcohol servers (n=43) were favorable toward RBS, they endorsed the need for ongoing support for RBS for servers and identified topics of interest. A prototype with 50 posts was successfully created. Servers felt that it was highly usable and appropriate for themselves and the premises in the usability survey (n=20) and field pilot test (n=110), with 85% (17/20) and 78% (46/59), respectively, saying they would use it. Servers receiving the professional development component had higher self-efficacy (d=0.30) and response efficacy (d=0.38) for RBS compared with untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS Owners, managers, and servers believed that an ongoing professional development component on RBS would benefit servers and licensed premises. Servers were interested in using such a program, a large majority engaged with the prototype, and servers receiving it improved on theoretic mediators of RBS. Thus, the professional development component may improve RBS training. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05779774; http://tinyurl.com/4mw6d2vk. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/49680.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert Saltz
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, CA, United States
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Hansen RK, Baiju N, Gabarron E. Social Media as an Effective Provider of Quality-Assured and Accurate Information to Increase Vaccine Rates: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e50276. [PMID: 38147375 PMCID: PMC10777282 DOI: 10.2196/50276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccination programs are instrumental in prolonging and improving people's lives by preventing diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and influenza from escalating into fatal epidemics. Despite the significant impact of these programs, a substantial number of individuals, including 20 million infants annually, lack sufficient access to vaccines. Therefore, it is imperative to raise awareness about vaccination programs. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the potential utilization of social media, assessing its scalability and robustness in delivering accurate and reliable information to individuals who are contemplating vaccination decisions for themselves or on behalf of their children. METHODS The protocol for this review is registered in PROSPERO (identifier CRD42022304229) and is being carried out in compliance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Comprehensive searches have been conducted in databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Google Scholar. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were deemed eligible for inclusion in this study. The target population encompasses the general public, including adults, children, and adolescents. The defined interventions comprise platforms facilitating 2-way communication for sharing information. These interventions were compared against traditional interventions and teaching methods, referred to as the control group. The outcomes assessed in the included studies encompassed days unvaccinated, vaccine acceptance, and the uptake of vaccines compared with baseline. The studies underwent a risk-of-bias assessment utilizing the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for RCTs, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) assessment. RESULTS This review included 10 studies, detailed in 12 articles published between 2012 and 2022, conducted in the United States, China, Jordan, Australia, and Israel. The studies involved platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and non-general-purpose social media. The outcomes examined in these studies focused on the uptake of vaccines compared with baseline, vaccine acceptance, and the number of days individuals remained unvaccinated. The overall sample size for this review was 26,286, with individual studies ranging from 58 to 21,592 participants. The effect direction plot derived from articles of good and fair quality indicated a nonsignificant outcome (P=.12). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that, in a real-world scenario, an equal number of positive and negative results may be expected due to the interventions' impact on the acceptance and uptake of vaccines. Nevertheless, there is a rationale for accumulating experience to optimize the use of social media with the aim of enhancing vaccination rates. Social media can serve as a tool with the potential to disseminate information and boost vaccination rates within a population. However, relying solely on social media is not sufficient, given the complex structures at play in vaccine acceptance. Effectiveness hinges on various factors working in tandem. It is crucial that authorized personnel closely monitor and moderate discussions on social media to ensure responsible and accurate information dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita-Kristin Hansen
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nikita Baiju
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Elia Gabarron
- Department of Education, ICT and Learning, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for E-health Research, Tromsø, Norway
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Buller DB, Pagoto S, Walkosz BJ, Woodall WG, Berteletti J, Kinsey A, Henry K, DiVito J. The Process of Responding to COVID-19 Misinformation in a Social Media Feed. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2023; 29:E124-E127. [PMID: 36383086 PMCID: PMC10172389 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Misinformation can undermine public health recommendations. Our team evaluated a 9-week social media campaign promoting COVID-19 prevention to mothers (n = 303) of teen daughters in January-March 2021. We implemented an epidemiological model for monitoring, diagnosing, and responding quickly to misinformation from mothers. Overall, 54 comments out of 1617 total comments (3.3%) from 20 mothers (6.6% of sample) contained misinformation. Misinformation was presented in direct statements and indirectly as hypothetical questions, source derogation, and personal stories, and attributed to others. Misinformation occurred most (n = 40; 74%) in comments on vaccination posts. The community manager responded to 48 (89%) misinformation comments by acknowledging the comment and rebutting misinformation. No mothers who provided misinformation left the Facebook groups and a few commented again (n = 10) or reacted (n = 3) to responses. Only a small number of comments conveyed misinformation. Our quick-response epidemiological protocol appeared to prevent debate and dropout and exposed these mothers to credible information.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Buller
- Research, Klein Buendel, Inc, Golden, Colorado (Drs Buller, Walkosz, and Woodall and Mss Berteletti and Kinsey); Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (Dr Pagoto and Mr Divito); and Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado (Dr Henry)
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