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Dincă FI, Dimitriu BA, Săndulescu O, Sîrbu VD, Săndulescu M. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dental Students from Romania Regarding Self-Perceived Risk and Prevention of Infectious Diseases. Dent J (Basel) 2024; 12:97. [PMID: 38668009 PMCID: PMC11049369 DOI: 10.3390/dj12040097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
University education is a leading source of information for dental practitioners. Particular emphasis should be given to determining the extent to which students acquire positive knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and positive metacompetences beyond the scope of each studied dental discipline. We performed a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study among dentistry students from Romania to assess self-perceived risk of infectious diseases and their KAP on topics related to infectious disease prevention. The surveyed students presented good knowledge regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), and their PPE practices significantly correlated with the perceived usefulness of PPE. Only 45.1% correctly recognized all vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), but knowledge regarding VPDs significantly improved with increasing year of study (τb = 0.298, p = 0.001), confirming a positive education effect. Awareness regarding the need for screening for bloodborne viruses is poor; the majority of students had never performed a test for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) (59.4%) or for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (60.4%). Furthermore, most respondents incorrectly considered themselves at high or very high risk of acquiring BBV, and perceived risk was inversely correlated with willingness to treat patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (τb = -0.214, p = 0.018), HCV infection (τb = -0.234, p = 0.013), or HIV infection (τb = -0.242, p = 0.006). This led to 3.0% of respondents stating that they would hypothetically deny dental treatment to a patient with HBV infection, 5.0% for HCV infection, and 10.9% for HIV infection, the proportion being significantly higher for HIV (z = -2.2, p = 0.026). In conclusion, better knowledge is needed among dental students regarding their own vaccination history, screening for bloodborne viruses, accurate estimates for their risk of acquiring bloodborne viruses during routine dental practice, and the existence of post-exposure measures following occupational exposure. Improving student knowledge and awareness could translate into a higher willingness to treat patients with chronic viral infections and into a safer and more inclusive dental practice. We propose an adaptation to the university curriculum to cover these key areas for targeted focus to empower future dental practitioners and to facilitate the improvement of across-discipline metacompetences for infection prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentina Iuliana Dincă
- PhD Candidate, Doctoral School, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020022 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Alexandru Dimitriu
- Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Calea Plevnei, 020022 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Oana Săndulescu
- Department of Infectious Diseases I, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Boulevard, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș”, No. 1 Dr. Calistrat Grozovici Street, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Valentin Daniel Sîrbu
- Department of Implant-Prosthetic Therapy, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Calea Plevnei, 020022 Bucharest, Romania (M.S.)
| | - Mihai Săndulescu
- Department of Implant-Prosthetic Therapy, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Calea Plevnei, 020022 Bucharest, Romania (M.S.)
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Khan AA, Abdullah M, Aliani R, Mohiuddin AF, Sultan F. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and attitudes in Pakistan: a cross-sectional phone survey of major urban cities. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1112. [PMID: 37296386 PMCID: PMC10252162 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15905-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 mass vaccination is the only hopeful savior to curb the pandemic. Vaccine distribution to achieve herd immunity is hindered by hesitance and negative attitude of the public against COVID-19 vaccination. This study aims to evaluate the vaccine hesitancy and attitudes in major cities in Pakistan as well as their determinants. METHODS A cross-sectional telephonic survey was conducted in June 2021 in major cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Gilgit, from unvaccinated urban population aged 18 years or older. Random Digit Dialing through multi-stage stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation of each target city and socio-economic classes. Questionnaire collected information on socio-demographics, COVID-19-related experiences, risk perception of infection, and receptivity of COVID-19 vaccination. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify key determinants of vaccine hesitancy and acceptance. RESULTS The prevalence of vaccinated population in this survey was 15%. Of the 2270 respondents, 65% respondents were willing to vaccinate, while only 19% were registered for vaccination. Factors significantly associated with vaccine willingness were older age (aOR: 6.48, 95% CI: 1.94-21.58), tertiary education (aOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.36, 3.01), being employed (aOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.78), perceived risk of COVID-19 (aOR: 4.38, 95% CI: 2.70, 7.12), and higher compliance with standard operating procedures (aOR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.35). The most common vaccine hesitancy reasons were 'no need' (n = 284, 36%) and concerns with 'vaccine safety and side effects' (n = 251, 31%), while most reported vaccine motivation reasons were 'health safety' (n = 1029, 70%) and 'to end the pandemic' (n = 357, 24%). CONCLUSIONS Although our study found 35% hesitancy rate of COVID-19 vaccine, there were noticeable demographic differences that suggest tailored communication strategy to address concerns held by most hesitant subpopulation. Use of mobile vaccination facilities particularly for less mobile and disadvantaged, and implementation and evaluation of social mobilization strategy should be considered to increase overall COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Ahmad Khan
- Research and Development Solutions, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | | | - Razia Aliani
- Akhter Hameed Khan Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Faisal Sultan
- Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan
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Wolynn T, Hermann C, Hoffman BL. Social Media and Vaccine Hesitancy: Help Us Move the Needle. Pediatr Clin North Am 2023; 70:329-341. [PMID: 36841600 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
With more than 75% of parents and pediatric caregivers getting their health-related information online, reaching families on social media is a powerful way to leverage the trust built in the examination room to address vaccine hesitancy. This article first reviews the ways the antivaccine movement has leveraged social media to expand its considerable influence, and why social media companies have failed to reduce antivaccine misinformation and disinformation. Next, it reviews the barriers to adoption of social media-based communication by pediatric health-care providers and concludes with action-oriented items to increase the adoption of this powerful tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Wolynn
- Kids Plus Pediatrics, 4070 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, USA
| | - Chad Hermann
- Kids Plus Pediatrics, 4070 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, USA
| | - Beth L Hoffman
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Center for Social Dynamics and Community Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Osuagwu UL, Mashige KP, Ovenseri-Ogbomo G, Envuladu EA, Abu EK, Miner CA, Timothy CG, Ekpenyong BN, Langsi R, Amiebenomo OM, Oloruntoba R, Goson PC, Charwe DD, Ishaya T, Agho KE. The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:38. [PMID: 36609264 PMCID: PMC9816548 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14972-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccination remains the most powerful weapon against the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, false information about COVID-19 vaccines through various platforms including social media remains a major threat to global public health. This study examined the impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS A validated web-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 14 March to 16 May 2021, and was administered in both French and English to 2572 participants aged 18 years and over. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical and vaccination history, and the information sources (mainstream media and social media) used by the participants during the pandemic were obtained. There were three main outcomes: The vaccinated group were those who responded in the affirmation (Yes) to the question of whether they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Those who responded 'not sure' or 'no' to the question were then asked if they were willing to be vaccinated when the vaccine became available in their home countries. The responses to this follow-up question were used to derive the second and third outcome variables of 'vaccine hesitancy' and 'vaccine resistance', respectively. A series of logistic regression analyses were used to examine the impact of information sources on the three main outcomes. RESULTS The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the participants was lowest among newspaper readers (42%) and highest among TV (72%) and social media users (73%). The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine-resistance was also lowest among newspaper readers (37%) but highest among social media users (87%). Multivariate analyses revealed that compared to those who did not use these information sources, SSA participants who relied on the radio (aOR 0.83, 95%CI = 0.70, 0.99), TV (aOR 0.80, 95%CI = 0.65, 0.97) and social media (aOR 0.79, 95%CI = 0.65, 0.97) for information during the pandemic were less likely to be hesitant towards taking the vaccines. However, social media users (aOR 2.13, 95%CI = 1.62, 2.80), those who watched TV (aOR 1.40, 95%CI =1.08, 1.80), relied on healthcare workers (HCWs: aOR 1.32, 95%CI = 1.07, 1.63) and families/friends (aOR 1.31, 95%CI = 1.06, 1.61) for COVID-19 related information during the pandemic were more likely to resist taking the COVID vaccines in this study. Participants who relied on the newspaper for information during the pandemic were less likely to resist the vaccines (aOR 0.77, 95%CI = 0.62, 0.95) compared to non-readers of a newspaper. CONCLUSION We found that all six information sources except radio were strong predictors of the resistance towards COVID-19 vaccination. Further research on how these channels can be used to improve the availability of reliable healthcare information is needed. Investments in these resources will protect people and empower them to make appropriate choices about their health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uchechukwu L. Osuagwu
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719Bathurst Rural Clinical School (BRCS), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University Bathurst, Bathurst, NSW 2795 Australia ,grid.16463.360000 0001 0723 4123African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 3629 South Africa ,grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Campbeltown, NSW 2560 Australia
| | - Khathutshelo P. Mashige
- grid.16463.360000 0001 0723 4123African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 3629 South Africa
| | - Godwin Ovenseri-Ogbomo
- grid.23378.3d0000 0001 2189 1357Department of Optometry, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, IV2 3JH UK
| | - Esther Awazzi Envuladu
- grid.412989.f0000 0000 8510 4538Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, 930003 Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel Kwasi Abu
- grid.413081.f0000 0001 2322 8567Department of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, 00233 Ghana
| | - Chundung Asabe Miner
- grid.412989.f0000 0000 8510 4538Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, 930003 Nigeria
| | - Chikasirimobi G. Timothy
- grid.442592.c0000 0001 0746 093XDepartment of Optometry, Faculty of Health sciences, Mzuzu University, P. Bag 201 Luwinga 2,, Mzuzu, Malawi
| | - Bernadine N. Ekpenyong
- grid.16463.360000 0001 0723 4123African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 3629 South Africa ,grid.413097.80000 0001 0291 6387Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Calabar, 540271 Nigeria
| | - Raymond Langsi
- grid.449799.e0000 0004 4684 0857Health Division, University of Bamenda, Bambili, P. O. Box 39, Cameroon
| | - Onyekachukwu M. Amiebenomo
- grid.413068.80000 0001 2218 219XDepartment of Optometry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria ,School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, College of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Richard Oloruntoba
- grid.1032.00000 0004 0375 4078School of Management and Marketing, Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6151 Australia
| | - Piwuna Christopher Goson
- grid.412989.f0000 0000 8510 4538Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Deborah Donald Charwe
- grid.419861.30000 0001 2217 1343Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center, P. O. Box 977, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Tanko Ishaya
- grid.412989.f0000 0000 8510 4538Department of Computer Science, University of Jos, Jos, 930003 Nigeria
| | - Kingsley E. Agho
- grid.16463.360000 0001 0723 4123African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 3629 South Africa ,grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Campbeltown, NSW 2560 Australia ,grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560 Australia
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Demir M, Çalışkan A, Kaleli İ, Dönmez B, Er H, Ergin Ç. Monitoring SARS CoV-2 antibodies positivity in healthcare workers after inactivated CoronaVac ® vaccine. Germs 2022; 12:507-518. [PMID: 38021180 PMCID: PMC10660217 DOI: 10.18683/germs.2022.1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction In this study, we aimed to monitor anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies positivity in healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with two doses of inactivated CoronaVac® (Sinovac, China) vaccine. Methods Overall, 242 volunteer HCWs were included. Of the participants, 193 were HCWs without history of prior documented COVID-19 (Group 1), while 49 had history of prior documented COVID-19 before vaccination (Group 2). The participants were followed up for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies positivity at four different blood sampling time points (immediately before the second vaccine dose and at the 1st, 3rd months and 141-150 days after the second dose). We investigated the serum IgG class antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 RBD region and IgG class antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) method using commercial kits. Results We found positive serum anti-RBD IgG antibody in 76.4% of the participants (71% in Group 1; 98% in Group 2) 28 days after the first dose. When the antibody levels of the groups were compared at the four blood sampling time points, Group 2 anti-RBD IgG levels were found to be significantly higher than those in Group 1 at all follow-up time points. Although anti-RBD IgG positivity persisted in 95.6% of all participants in the last blood sampling time point, a significant decrease was observed in antibody levels compared to the previous blood sampling time point. Anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibody was positive in 12 (6.2%) of participants in Group 1 and 32 (65.3%) in Group 2 at day 28 after the first dose. At the fourth blood sampling time point, anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were found to be positive in a total of 20 (9.7%) subjects, 10 (6.1%) in Group 1 and 10 (23.8%) in Group 2. Conclusions In this study, it was determined that serum antibody levels decreased in both groups after the third month after the second dose in HCWs vaccinated with CoronaVac® vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melek Demir
- MD, PhD, Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Microbiology, Denizli, 20070, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Çalışkan
- MD, Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Microbiology, Denizli, 20070, Turkey
| | - İlknur Kaleli
- MD, Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Microbiology, Denizli, 20070, Turkey
| | - Büşra Dönmez
- MD, Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Microbiology, Denizli, 20070, Turkey
| | - Hatice Er
- MD, Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Microbiology, Denizli, 20070, Turkey
| | - Çağrı Ergin
- MD, Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Microbiology, Denizli, 20070, Turkey
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Sallam M, Eid H, Awamleh N, Al-Tammemi AB, Barakat M, Athamneh RY, Hallit S, Harapan H, Mahafzah A. Conspiratorial Attitude of the General Public in Jordan towards Emerging Virus Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study Amid the 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7120411. [PMID: 36548666 PMCID: PMC9787389 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7120411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Conspiracy theories accompany the emergence of infectious diseases and the 2022 multi-country monkeypox (MPX) outbreak is no exception. It is possible that the adoption of conspiracy beliefs negatively impacts health behavior. We aimed to assess the prevalence of conspiratorial attitudes towards emerging virus infections (EVIs) and the response measures aiming to control these infections among the general public in Jordan. In addition, we assessed MPX knowledge and the belief in the role of men who have sex with men (MSM) in virus spread. The online survey data were collected during 24 May 2022-28 June 2022. The survey instrument was based on previously published scales designed to measure MPX knowledge and EVI conspiracies. A total of 611 respondents formed the final study sample, with a mean age of 44 years and a majority of females (n = 433, 70.9%). On a scale ranging from -10 to +10, the median MPX knowledge score in the study sample was +3 (interquartile range: +1 to +5). Educational level was a determinant of MPX knowledge in multivariate analysis. More than 50% of the participants agreed at least to some extent with 9 out of 12 of the EVI conspiracy items. Multivariate analysis showed that embracing conspiracy beliefs about EVIs was associated with being female, and agreeing with or having no opinion regarding the role of MSM in MPX spread. The current study revealed the high prevalence of belief in conspiracies surrounding EVIs, and its accompanying intervention measures, among the general public in Jordan. In addition, a lower level of MPX knowledge was observed compared to previous studies among university students and health professionals in the country. We recommend evaluating the impact of the widely prevalent conspiracy beliefs on health aspects in future studies. This aim is particularly relevant in the Middle Eastern countries where embracing specific conspiracy ideas is a common occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Malmö, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +962-79-1845186
| | - Huda Eid
- Department of Dentistry, Queen Alia Military Hospital, Amman 11731, Jordan
| | - Nour Awamleh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Ala’a B. Al-Tammemi
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration (IOM), The UN Migration Agency, Amman 11953, Jordan
| | - Muna Barakat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
| | - Rabaa Y. Athamneh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13132, Jordan
| | - Souheil Hallit
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib P.O. Box 60096, Lebanon
| | - Harapan Harapan
- Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Tropical Disease Centre, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
| | - Azmi Mahafzah
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
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Agosti F, Toffolutti V, Cavalli N, Nivakoski S, Mascherini M, Aassve A. Information and vaccine hesitancy: Evidence from the early stage of the vaccine roll-out in 28 European countries. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273555. [PMID: 36129897 PMCID: PMC9491558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of mass vaccination programs against SARS-CoV-2 hinges on the public’s acceptance of the vaccines. During a vaccine roll-out, individuals have limited information about the potential side-effects and benefits. Given the public health concern of the COVID pandemic, providing appropriate information fast matters for the success of the campaign. In this paper, time-trends in vaccine hesitancy were examined using a sample of 35,390 respondents from the Eurofound’s Living, Working and COVID-19 (LWC) data collected between 12 February and 28 March 2021 across 28 European countries. The data cover the initial stage of the vaccine roll-out. We exploit the fact that during this period, news about rare cases of blood clots with low blood platelets were potentially linked to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (or Vaxzeveria). Multivariate regression models were used to analyze i) vaccine hesitancy trends, and whether any trend-change was associated with the link between the AstraZeneca vaccine ii) and blood clots (AstraZeneca controversy), and iii) the suspension among several European countries. Our estimates show that vaccine hesitancy increased over the early stage of the vaccine roll-out (0·002, 95% CI: [0·002 to 0·003]), a positive shift took place in the likelihood of hesitancy following the controversy (0·230, 95% CI: [0·157 to 0·302]), with the trend subsequently turning negative (-0·007, 95% CI: [-0·010 to -0·005]). Countries deciding to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccine experienced an increase in vaccine hesitancy after the suspensions (0·068, 95% CI: [0·04 to 0·095]). Trust in institutions is negatively associated with vaccine hesitancy. The results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy increased steadily since the beginning of the vaccine roll-out and the AstraZeneca controversy and its suspension, made modest (though significant) contributions to increased hesitancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Agosti
- “Carlo F. Dondena” Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policies, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
| | - Veronica Toffolutti
- “Carlo F. Dondena” Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policies, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
- Wolfson Institute for Population Health – Centre for Evaluation and Methods, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolò Cavalli
- “Carlo F. Dondena” Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policies, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Social and Political Science, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
- Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sanna Nivakoski
- European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Arnstein Aassve
- “Carlo F. Dondena” Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policies, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Social and Political Science, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Tharwat S, Khairallah MK, Nassar MK, Nassar DK, Nagy E. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among maintenance hemodialysis patients: an Egyptian survey study. Trop Med Health 2022; 50:42. [PMID: 35773749 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-022-00434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality especially among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. COVID-19 vaccination is important to decrease risk and severity of COVID-19 infection. However, vaccine hesitancy is a significant barrier to vaccination. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine acceptability among Egyptian MHD patients. Methods We conducted a paper-based survey on 237 MHD patients in 2 tertiary Egyptian hemodialysis (HD) centers. The survey consisted of a questionnaire that addressed demographic and clinical data, knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 infection and vaccines, beliefs regarding both conventional and COVID-19 vaccines, intention of COVID-19 vaccination together with motivators for and barriers against vaccination, sources of information regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Results According to intention to be vaccinated, the patients were divided into vaccine acceptant (VA), hesitant (VH), and resistant (VR) groups who comprised 58.3%, 26.5%, and 15.2%, respectively. Only occupational status and residency were significantly different between the three groups. In 60% of VA group, fear of infection was the main motivator for vaccination. Meanwhile, 40% of VH and VR groups reported that fear of serious side effects of vaccines was the main barrier against vaccination. Television was the primary information source (58.6%) about COVID-19 vaccination while only 18% of patients got their COVID-19 vaccine information from their nephrologists. Conclusions More than half of MHD patients accept to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine acceptability is not associated with age, gender, educational level, but rather with employment status and residency.
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Bradshaw AS. #DoctorsSpeakUp: Exploration of Hashtag Hijacking by Anti-Vaccine Advocates and the Influence of Scientific Counterpublics on Twitter. Health Commun 2022:1-11. [PMID: 35437069 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2058159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The #DoctorsSpeakUp hashtag, which was designed by physicians to collectively promote vaccines on Twitter in Spring of 2020, was hijacked by anti-vaccine advocates. Through the lens of counterpublic sphere theory, thematic analysis revealed that the hashtag hijacking by a scientific counterpublic was successful, and the majority of #DoctorsSpeakUp tweets were oriented against vaccines. Five overarching themes emerged in anti-vaccine hijacked tweets, including: personal experience with vaccine injury, profits over people, lack of liability, perception that doctors are uninformed, and 'We are the Herd.' In contrast, fewer than 17% of tweets originated from pro-vaccine doctors who openly identified themselves as such in their tweets or profiles. Thus, using the #DoctorsSpeakUp hashtag, anti-vaccine advocates dominated the discourse, which speaks to the communication dynamics afforded within the information ecosystem of a social network. Hashtag activism can connect individuals and promote grassroots movements but may also backfire, allowing a vocal minority of individuals to shout the loudest through the digital megaphone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda S Bradshaw
- Integrated Marketing Communications, School of Journalism and New Media, The University of Mississippi, MS, USA
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10
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Miron VD, Toma AR, Filimon C, Bar G, Craiu M. Optional Vaccines in Children—Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Romanian Parents. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10030404. [PMID: 35335036 PMCID: PMC8955643 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is one of the most useful medical interventions for controlling certain infectious diseases. The aim of current research is to identify some of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy or acceptance in a rather skeptical European population by addressing parental perception on optional vaccination (OV) perception. Novel tools, delivered by social media, were used in our research attempt. A validated questionnaire was distributed online among parents. Parental knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of OV were analyzed. The majority of parent respondents (55.1%) showed very good knowledge about vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases, and 76.0% stated that they had given at least one optional vaccine to at least one of their children. The most common optional vaccine administered was the rotavirus vaccine. The level of knowledge appeared to be related to compliance with OV. Concurrently, the rate of vaccine acceptance in the NIP (National Immunization Program) was not correlated with the level of parental knowledge. In total, a high percentage of parents (77.6%) believed that OV can bring an additional health safety benefit to their children. This study shows the need to involve the medical community in a steady dialogue with parents about OV. Raising awareness by presenting clear and understandable information could be a game-changing intervention in mitigating the public health impact of OV-preventable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Daniel Miron
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.F.); (M.C.)
- National Institute for Mother and Child Health “Alessandrescu-Rusescu”, 020395 Bucharest, Romania;
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrei Răzvan Toma
- Central Military Emergency Hospital Dr. Carol Davila, 010825 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Claudiu Filimon
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Gabriela Bar
- National Institute for Mother and Child Health “Alessandrescu-Rusescu”, 020395 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Mihai Craiu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.F.); (M.C.)
- National Institute for Mother and Child Health “Alessandrescu-Rusescu”, 020395 Bucharest, Romania;
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11
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Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, recommendations for maintaining physical distance, restricted mobility measures, as well as fear of mass transmission by going to health centers have significantly contributed to the general vaccination coverage, which by and large is decreasing worldwide; thus, favoring the potential re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases. In this study, we have used the existing data on vaccination coverage during the pre-pandemic (2019) as well as the pandemic (2020) period to evaluate the impact of coronavirus outbreaks during the vaccination drive in Brazil. Furthermore, we have accumulated data since 2015 among the different regions of the country to acquire more consistent information. The various vaccines analyzed in our study were meningococcal C conjugate, Triple antigen vaccine, 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate, and BCG; subsequently, the data were obtained from the National Disease Notification System. This study revealed that the ongoing immunization drive saw a steep decline of around 10 to 20% during the (2019-2020) pandemic period in Brazil. These results provide strong evidence towards the decreasing trends following the vaccination programs during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Brazil. Furthermore, our results also highlight the importance of adopting widespread multi-component interventions to improve vaccination uptake rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neida Lucia Conrad
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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12
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Abstract
This research examines the influence of norm-based messages (positively worded descriptive vs. negatively worded descriptive vs. injunctive vs. basic information) on intentions and risk perceptions about receiving human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young adults aged 18-29. Results from an experiment show that compared to the basic information condition, additional exposure to injunctive normative messages increased intention to seek further information about HPV vaccination, which in turn enhanced intention to get the vaccine. Negatively worded descriptive normative messaging should be used with caution since it resulted in the highest risk perceptions of the HPV vaccine, compared to positively worded descriptive norms and basic information messages. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xizhu Xiao
- School of Journalism and Communication, Qingdao University
| | - Porismita Borah
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University
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13
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Tomaszewski T, Morales A, Lourentzou I, Caskey R, Liu B, Schwartz A, Chin J. Identifying False Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Information and Corresponding Risk Perceptions From Twitter: Advanced Predictive Models. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e30451. [PMID: 34499043 PMCID: PMC8461539 DOI: 10.2196/30451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The vaccination uptake rates of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remain low despite the fact that the effectiveness of HPV vaccines has been established for more than a decade. Vaccine hesitancy is in part due to false information about HPV vaccines on social media. Combating false HPV vaccine information is a reasonable step to addressing vaccine hesitancy. Objective Given the substantial harm of false HPV vaccine information, there is an urgent need to identify false social media messages before it goes viral. The goal of the study is to develop a systematic and generalizable approach to identifying false HPV vaccine information on social media. Methods This study used machine learning and natural language processing to develop a series of classification models and causality mining methods to identify and examine true and false HPV vaccine–related information on Twitter. Results We found that the convolutional neural network model outperformed all other models in identifying tweets containing false HPV vaccine–related information (F score=91.95). We also developed completely unsupervised causality mining models to identify HPV vaccine candidate effects for capturing risk perceptions of HPV vaccines. Furthermore, we found that false information contained mostly loss-framed messages focusing on the potential risk of vaccines covering a variety of topics using more diverse vocabulary, while true information contained both gain- and loss-framed messages focusing on the effectiveness of vaccines covering fewer topics using relatively limited vocabulary. Conclusions Our research demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of using predictive models to identify false HPV vaccine information and its risk perceptions on social media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tre Tomaszewski
- School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Alex Morales
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Ismini Lourentzou
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Rachel Caskey
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Alan Schwartz
- Department of Medical Education, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jessie Chin
- School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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14
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Wu W, Lyu H, Luo J. Characterizing Discourse about COVID-19 Vaccines: A Reddit Version of the Pandemic Story. Health Data Sci 2021; 2021:9837856. [PMID: 36405359 PMCID: PMC9629685 DOI: 10.34133/2021/9837856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It has been one year since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that vaccines developed by several manufacturers are being actively distributed worldwide. However, as more and more vaccines become available to the public, various concerns related to vaccines become the primary barriers that may hinder the public from getting vaccinated. Considering the complexities of these concerns and their potential hazards, this study is aimed at offering a clear understanding about different population groups' underlying concerns when they talk about COVID-19 vaccines-particularly those active on Reddit. The goal is achieved by applying LDA and LIWC to characterize the pertaining discourse with insights generated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative comparisons. Findings include the following: (1) during the pandemic, the proportion of Reddit comments predominated by conspiracy theories outweighed that of any other topics; (2) each subreddit has its own user bases, so information posted in one subreddit may not reach that from other subreddits; and (3) since users' concerns vary across time and subreddits, communication strategies must be adjusted according to specific needs. The results of this study manifest challenges as well as opportunities in the process of designing effective communication and immunization programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Goergen Institute for Data Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA
| | - Hanjia Lyu
- Goergen Institute for Data Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA
| | - Jiebo Luo
- Department of Computer Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA
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15
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Nair AT, Nayar KR, Koya SF, Abraham M, Lordson J, Grace C, Sreekumar S, Chembon P, Swarnam K, Pillai AM, Pandey AK. Social media, vaccine hesitancy and trust deficit in immunization programs: a qualitative enquiry in Malappuram District of Kerala, India. Health Res Policy Syst 2021; 19:56. [PMID: 34380514 PMCID: PMC8356375 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-021-00698-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With increased penetration of the internet and social media, there are concerns regarding its negative role in influencing parents' decisions regarding vaccination for their children. It is perceived that a mix of religious reasons and propaganda by anti-vaccination groups on social media are lowering the vaccination coverage in Malappuram district of Kerala. We undertook a qualitative study to understand the factors responsible for generating and perpetuating vaccine hesitancy, the pathways of trust deficit in immunization programs and the interaction between various social media actors. METHODS In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among parents/caregivers, physicians, public sector health staff, alternative system medical practitioners, field healthcare workers and teachers in areas with highest and lowest vaccination coverage in the district, as well as with communication experts. RESULTS The trust deficit between parents/caregivers and healthcare providers is created by multiple factors, such as providers' lack of technical knowledge, existing patriarchal societal norms and critical views of vaccine by naturopaths and homeopaths. Anti-vaccine groups use social media to influence caregivers' perceptions and beliefs. Religion does not appear to play a major role in creating vaccine resistance in this setting. CONCLUSIONS A long-term, multipronged strategy should be adopted to address the trust deficit. In the short to medium term, the health sector can focus on appropriate and targeted vaccine-related communication strategies, including the use of infographics, soft skills training for healthcare workers, technical competency improvement through a mobile application-based repository of information and creation of a media cell to monitor vaccine-related conversations in social media and to intervene if needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop T. Nair
- Primary Health Center Chaliyar, Department of Health, Malappuram, Kerala India
| | | | - Shaffi Fazaludeen Koya
- Global Institute of Public Health, Trivandrum, Kerala India
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
- grid.415696.9Ministry of Health, Al Taif, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Minu Abraham
- Global Institute of Public Health, Trivandrum, Kerala India
| | | | - Chitra Grace
- Global Institute of Public Health, Trivandrum, Kerala India
| | | | - Priya Chembon
- Global Institute of Public Health, Trivandrum, Kerala India
| | - Kamala Swarnam
- grid.496580.6Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Trivandrum, Kerala India
| | - A. Marthanda Pillai
- grid.496580.6Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Trivandrum, Kerala India
| | - Anant Kumar Pandey
- Global Institute of Public Health, Trivandrum, Kerala India
- grid.444699.20000 0001 0669 2384Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, Jharkhand India
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16
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Nair AT, Nayar KR, Koya SF, Abraham M, Lordson J, Grace C, Sreekumar S, Chembon P, Swarnam K, Pillai AM, Pandey AK. Social media, vaccine hesitancy and trust deficit in immunization programs: a qualitative enquiry in Malappuram District of Kerala, India. Health Res Policy Syst 2021. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-021-00698-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
With increased penetration of the internet and social media, there are concerns regarding its negative role in influencing parents’ decisions regarding vaccination for their children. It is perceived that a mix of religious reasons and propaganda by anti-vaccination groups on social media are lowering the vaccination coverage in Malappuram district of Kerala. We undertook a qualitative study to understand the factors responsible for generating and perpetuating vaccine hesitancy, the pathways of trust deficit in immunization programs and the interaction between various social media actors.
Methods
In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among parents/caregivers, physicians, public sector health staff, alternative system medical practitioners, field healthcare workers and teachers in areas with highest and lowest vaccination coverage in the district, as well as with communication experts.
Results
The trust deficit between parents/caregivers and healthcare providers is created by multiple factors, such as providers’ lack of technical knowledge, existing patriarchal societal norms and critical views of vaccine by naturopaths and homeopaths. Anti-vaccine groups use social media to influence caregivers' perceptions and beliefs. Religion does not appear to play a major role in creating vaccine resistance in this setting.
Conclusions
A long-term, multipronged strategy should be adopted to address the trust deficit. In the short to medium term, the health sector can focus on appropriate and targeted vaccine-related communication strategies, including the use of infographics, soft skills training for healthcare workers, technical competency improvement through a mobile application-based repository of information and creation of a media cell to monitor vaccine-related conversations in social media and to intervene if needed.
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17
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Solís Arce JS, Warren SS, Meriggi NF, Scacco A, McMurry N, Voors M, Syunyaev G, Malik AA, Aboutajdine S, Adeojo O, Anigo D, Armand A, Asad S, Atyera M, Augsburg B, Awasthi M, Ayesiga GE, Bancalari A, Björkman Nyqvist M, Borisova E, Bosancianu CM, Cabra García MR, Cheema A, Collins E, Cuccaro F, Farooqi AZ, Fatima T, Fracchia M, Galindo Soria ML, Guariso A, Hasanain A, Jaramillo S, Kallon S, Kamwesigye A, Kharel A, Kreps S, Levine M, Littman R, Malik M, Manirabaruta G, Mfura JLH, Momoh F, Mucauque A, Mussa I, Nsabimana JA, Obara I, Otálora MJ, Ouédraogo BW, Pare TB, Platas MR, Polanco L, Qureshi JA, Raheem M, Ramakrishna V, Rendrá I, Shah T, Shaked SE, Shapiro JN, Svensson J, Tariq A, Tchibozo AM, Tiwana HA, Trivedi B, Vernot C, Vicente PC, Weissinger LB, Zafar B, Zhang B, Karlan D, Callen M, Teachout M, Humphreys M, Mobarak AM, Omer SB. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in low- and middle-income countries. Nat Med 2021; 27:1385-1394. [PMID: 34272499 PMCID: PMC8363502 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01454-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 539] [Impact Index Per Article: 179.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Widespread acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial for achieving sufficient immunization coverage to end the global pandemic, yet few studies have investigated COVID-19 vaccination attitudes in lower-income countries, where large-scale vaccination is just beginning. We analyze COVID-19 vaccine acceptance across 15 survey samples covering 10 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia, Africa and South America, Russia (an upper-middle-income country) and the United States, including a total of 44,260 individuals. We find considerably higher willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine in our LMIC samples (mean 80.3%; median 78%; range 30.1 percentage points) compared with the United States (mean 64.6%) and Russia (mean 30.4%). Vaccine acceptance in LMICs is primarily explained by an interest in personal protection against COVID-19, while concern about side effects is the most common reason for hesitancy. Health workers are the most trusted sources of guidance about COVID-19 vaccines. Evidence from this sample of LMICs suggests that prioritizing vaccine distribution to the Global South should yield high returns in advancing global immunization coverage. Vaccination campaigns should focus on translating the high levels of stated acceptance into actual uptake. Messages highlighting vaccine efficacy and safety, delivered by healthcare workers, could be effective for addressing any remaining hesitancy in the analyzed LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nina McMurry
- WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maarten Voors
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Georgiy Syunyaev
- WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Berlin, Germany.,International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development (ICSID), HSE University, Moscow, Russia.,Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Opeyemi Adeojo
- Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, Lagos, Nigeria.,Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Deborah Anigo
- Busara Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria.,Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Alex Armand
- Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon, Portugal.,The Institute for Fiscal Studies, London, UK
| | - Saher Asad
- Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Martin Atyera
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Antonella Bancalari
- The Institute for Fiscal Studies, London, UK.,University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.,Redes Peru, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Ekaterina Borisova
- International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development (ICSID), HSE University, Moscow, Russia.,Ghent University, Department of Economics, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Ali Cheema
- Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.,Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Filippo Cuccaro
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Ahsan Zia Farooqi
- Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Mattia Fracchia
- Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon, Portugal.,NOVAFRICA, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Ali Hasanain
- Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sofía Jaramillo
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sellu Kallon
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,Institute of Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Arjun Kharel
- Centre for the Study of Labour and Mobility (CESLAM), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Madison Levine
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mohammad Malik
- Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Fatoma Momoh
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Alberto Mucauque
- Associação NOVAFRICA para o Desenvolvimento Empresarial e Económico de Moçambique, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Imamo Mussa
- Associação NOVAFRICA para o Desenvolvimento Empresarial e Económico de Moçambique, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Isaac Obara
- Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Touba Bakary Pare
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Laura Polanco
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Mariam Raheem
- Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Vasudha Ramakrishna
- Yale Research Initiative on Innovation and Scale (Y-RISE), New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ismail Rendrá
- Associação NOVAFRICA para o Desenvolvimento Empresarial e Económico de Moçambique, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Taimur Shah
- Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Jakob Svensson
- Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ahsan Tariq
- Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Hamid Ali Tiwana
- Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Corey Vernot
- Yale Research Initiative on Innovation and Scale (Y-RISE), New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Pedro C Vicente
- Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon, Portugal.,NOVAFRICA, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Basit Zafar
- Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), Lahore, Pakistan.,University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Dean Karlan
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), New York, NY, USA.,Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Michael Callen
- London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | | | - Macartan Humphreys
- WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Berlin, Germany.,Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Saad B Omer
- Yale Institute for Global Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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18
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Szemerszky R, Dömötör Z, Witthöft M, Köteles F. Modern health worries and idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields are associated with paranoid ideation. J Psychosom Res 2021; 146:110501. [PMID: 33930739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Paranoid ideation is assumed to characterize worries about possible harmful effects of modern technologies (MHWs) and idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEIs), such as IEI attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF). Empirical evidence on these associations is scarce. METHODS In a cross-sectional on-line survey, participants of a community sample (n = 700; mean age: 28.4 ± 12.0; 434 females) completed the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, the Modern Health Worries Scale, and the Paranoid Ideation scale of the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised. They were considered IEI-EMF if (1) they categorized themselves so, (2) they had experienced symptoms that they attributed to the exposure to electromagnetic fields, and (3) the condition impacted their everyday functioning. RESULTS Paranoid ideation was significantly positively associated with MHWs (standardized β = 0.150, p < .001) even after controlling for socio-demographic variables and somatosensory amplification tendency, an indicator of somatic symptom distress. Also, paranoid ideation explained significant variability in IEI-EMF (OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.006-1.180, p = .035) even after statistically controlling for socio-demographic variables and somatosensory amplification. CONCLUSIONS Paranoid ideation was found to be associated with MHWs and IEI-EMF. This association appears independent of general somatic symptom distress in both cases. This might partly explain the temporal stability of these constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renáta Szemerszky
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zsuzsanna Dömötör
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
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19
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Caracilo Carvalho Bivar G, Santini Cesar de Aguiar ME, Virgínia Cavalcanti Santos R, Ramon Gualberto Cardoso P. Covid-19, the anti-vaccine movement and immunization challenges in Brazil: A review. Sci Med 2021; 31:e39425. [DOI: 10.15448/1980-6108.2021.1.39425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS: The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly and significantly increased hospitalizations for pneumonia with systemic inflammatory disease. Since its appearance, COVID-19 has affected more than 200 countries, with more than 90 million cases and almost 2 million deaths. So far, there is no quality evidence regarding the specific pharmacological therapy for COVID-19; most treatments usually involve off-label use of existing drugs and have unproven efficacy. The global effort converges on the development of a vaccine; however, the greatest challenge is to achieve collective immunization in the face of increasing vaccination hesitancy.METHODS: This study investigated the impact of vaccine hesitancy movements on the goal of COVID-19 immunization in Brazil. An integrative bibliographic review was performed with an electronic search on PubMed and SciELO that yielded 13.535 articles. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied which included 29 interventional and descriptive studies.RESULTS: The results of the 29 studies revealed that the most frequent reasons for hesitation is skepticism about the true interests of the industry and politicians, the lack of trust in research, and inaccurate information on social media.CONCLUSION: The main factors that lead the population not to believe in vaccines were the real interests of industry and politicians, lack of confidence in research, and the amount of false information that circulates massively on social media and because of that it is possible that Brazil will face some challenges in achieving collective immunity due to the anti-vaccine movement.
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20
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Braverman A. Ecological model of health behavior as a methodology for reducing anti-vaccination trends. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2021; 133:721-723. [PMID: 33566139 PMCID: PMC7874023 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-021-01817-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Nahum A, Drekonja DM, Alpern JD. The Erosion of Public Trust and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines- More Action Is Needed. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofaa657. [PMID: 34141815 PMCID: PMC7798520 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As states and health systems prepare to deliver severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines to the American public, a confluence of factors has the potential to interfere with these efforts: misinformation about coronavirus disease 2019, vaccine hesitancy, and the erosion of the American public's trust in the vaccine regulatory process due to recent and ongoing events. Broad action is needed to address these issues, including improved and consistent communication by the Food and Drug Administration, restoration of the Centers for Disease Control as an independent and science-driven institution, and more aggressive policies to counteract misinformation, particularly on social media platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Nahum
- Department of Medicine, HealthPartners, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, USA
| | - Dimitri M Drekonja
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, USA
- Infectious Disease Section, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care
System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jonathan D Alpern
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, HealthPartners, St. Paul,
Minnesota, USA
- Department of Travel and Tropical Medicine, HealthPartners, St.
Paul, Minnesota, USA
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22
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Ruiz JB, Bell RA. Predictors of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: Results of a nationwide survey. Vaccine 2021; 39:1080-1086. [PMID: 33461833 PMCID: PMC7794597 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 386] [Impact Index Per Article: 128.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public polling indicates that vaccine uptake will be suboptimal when COVID-19 vaccines become available. Formative research seeking an understanding of weak vaccination intentions is urgently needed. METHODS Nationwide online survey of 804 U.S. English-speaking adults. Compensated participants were recruited from the U.S. through an internet survey panel of 2.5 million residents developed by a commercial survey firm. Recruitment was based on quota sampling to produce a U.S. Census-matched sample representative of the nation with regard to region of residence, sex, and age. RESULTS COVID-19 vaccination intentions were weak, with 14.8% of respondents being unlikely to get vaccinated and another 23.0% unsure. Intent to vaccinate was highest for men, older people, individuals who identified as white and non-Hispanic, the affluent and college-educated, Democrats, those who were married or partnered, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and those vaccinated against influenza during the 2019-2020 flu season. In a multiple linear regression, significant predictors of vaccination intent were general vaccine knowledge (β = 0.311, p < .001), rejection of vaccine conspiracies (β = -0.117, p = .003), perceived severity of COVID-19 (β = 0.273, p < .001), influenza vaccine uptake (β = 0.178, p < .001), having ≥ 5 pre-existing conditions (β = 0.098, p = .003), being male (β = 0.119, p < .001), household income of ≥ $120,000 (β = 0.110, p = .004), identifying as a Democrat (β = 0.075, p < .029), and not relying upon social media for virus information (β = -0.090, p 〈002). Intent to vaccinate was lower for Fox News (57.3%) than CNN/MSNBC viewers (76.4%) (χ2(1) = 12.68, p < .001). Political party differences in threat appraisals and vaccine conspiracy beliefs are described. CONCLUSIONS Demographic characteristics, vaccine knowledge, perceived vulnerability to COVID-19, risk factors for COVID-19, and politics likely contribute to vaccination hesitancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette B Ruiz
- Department of Communication, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Robert A Bell
- Department of Communication, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
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23
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Köteles F, Szemerszky R, Witthöft M, Nordin S. No evidence for interactions between modern health worries, negative affect, and somatic symptom distress in general populations. Psychol Health 2020; 36:1384-1396. [DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1841761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Renáta Szemerszky
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Steven Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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24
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Abstract
Although conspiracy theories are endorsed by about half the population and occasionally turn out to be true, they are more typically false beliefs that, by definition, have a paranoid theme. Consequently, psychological research to date has focused on determining whether there are traits that account for belief in conspiracy theories (BCT) within a deficit model. Alternatively, a two-component, socio-epistemic model of BCT is proposed that seeks to account for the ubiquity of conspiracy theories, their variance along a continuum, and the inconsistency of research findings likening them to psychopathology. Within this model, epistemic mistrust is the core component underlying conspiracist ideation that manifests as the rejection of authoritative information, focuses the specificity of conspiracy theory beliefs, and can sometimes be understood as a sociocultural response to breaches of trust, inequities of power, and existing racial prejudices. Once voices of authority are negated due to mistrust, the resulting epistemic vacuum can send individuals “down the rabbit hole” looking for answers where they are vulnerable to the biased processing of information and misinformation within an increasingly “post-truth” world. The two-component, socio-epistemic model of BCT argues for mitigation strategies that address both mistrust and misinformation processing, with interventions for individuals, institutions of authority, and society as a whole.
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25
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Hoogink J, Verelst F, Kessels R, van Hoek AJ, Timen A, Willem L, Beutels P, Wallinga J, de Wit GA. Preferential differences in vaccination decision-making for oneself or one's child in The Netherlands: a discrete choice experiment. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:828. [PMID: 32487041 PMCID: PMC7268356 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08844-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To optimize the focus of future public information campaigns in The Netherlands promoting the uptake of vaccines among adults and children, we quantified the contribution of several attributes to the vaccination decision. METHOD We performed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among Dutch adults including six attributes, i.e. vaccine effectiveness, vaccine-preventable burden of disease (specified in severity and frequency), accessibility of vaccination in terms of co-payment and prescription requirements, frequency of mild side-effects, population-level vaccination coverage and local vaccination coverage among family and friends. Participants answered the DCE from their own perspective ('oneself' group) or with regard to a vaccine decision for their youngest child ('child' group). The data was analysed by means of panel mixed logit models. RESULTS We included 1547 adult participants (825 'oneself' and 722 'child'). Vaccine effectiveness was the most important attribute in the 'oneself' group, followed by burden of disease (relative importance (RI) 78%) and accessibility (RI 76%). In the 'child' group, burden of disease was most important, but tied closely with vaccine effectiveness (RI 97%). Of less importance was the risk of mild vaccine-related side-effects and both population and local vaccination coverage. Interestingly, participants were more willing to vaccinate when uptake among the population or family and friends was high, indicating that social influence and social norms plays a role. CONCLUSIONS Vaccine effectiveness and disease severity are key attributes in vaccination decision-making for adults making a decision for themselves and for parents who decide for their children. Hence, public information campaigns for both adult and child vaccination should primarily focus on these two attributes. In addition, reinforcing social norms may be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joram Hoogink
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. .,Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Frederik Verelst
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roselinde Kessels
- Department of Data Analytics and Digitalization, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Jan van Hoek
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, England
| | - Aura Timen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lander Willem
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philippe Beutels
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jacco Wallinga
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - G Ardine de Wit
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Healthcare, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. .,Julius Centre Utrecht - University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Modern health worries (MHWs) refer to people's concerns about possible harmful effects of modern technologies, and are widespread in the developed countries. The aim of the present work was to provide comprehensive, yet integrated understanding for MHWs and associated factors. METHODS Following the PRISMA guideline, a systematic review was conducted based on 48 empirical articles published between 2001 and 2018 (Prospero registration number: CRD42018103756). All empirical studies were included that (1) were published between 2001 and 2018 in peer-reviewed scientific journals in English, German, or Hungarian, (2) used the Modern Health Worries Scale or any of its sub-scales, and (3) assessed associations between MHWs and other constructs and/or compared criterion groups (i.e. purely psychometric studies were excluded). RESULTS The results from the review suggest that female gender, age, somatic symptom distress and idiopathic environmental intolerances, holistic thinking, and paranoid beliefs are positively associated with MHWs, whereas educational qualification and the five major dimensions of personality appear not to be. CONCLUSION Scientific inquiry on the MHWs phenomenon is still in its descriptive-explorative phase; more rigorously designed studies are needed. The presented theoretical framework integrates illness-related and holistic thinking-related aspects of MHWs as a starting point to guide further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Dömötör
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary.
| | | | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary.
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Clarke RM, Sirota M, Paterson P. Do previously held vaccine attitudes dictate the extent and influence of vaccine information-seeking behavior during pregnancy? Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 15:2081-2089. [PMID: 31291160 PMCID: PMC6773393 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1638203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a high information need state, where uncertainty around medical intervention is common. As such, the pertussis vaccination given during pregnancy presents a unique opportunity to study the interaction between vaccine attitudes and vaccine information-seeking behavior. We surveyed a sample of pregnant women (N = 182) during early pregnancy and again during late pregnancy. The variables of vaccine confidence and risk perception of vaccination during pregnancy were measured across two questionnaires. Additional variables of decision conflict and intention to vaccinate were recorded during early pregnancy, while vaccine information-seeking behavior and vaccine uptake were recorded during late pregnancy. 88.8% of participants reported seeking additional information about the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy. Women that had a lower confidence in vaccination (p = .004) and those that saw the risk of pertussis disease as high compared to the risk of side effects from the pertussis vaccination during pregnancy (p = .004) spent significantly more time seeking information about the pertussis vaccination. Women’s perception of risk related to vaccination during pregnancy significantly changed throughout the pregnancy (t(182) = 4.685 p< .001), with women perceiving the risk of pertussis disease higher as compared to the risk of side effects from the vaccine as the pregnancy progresses. The strength and influence of information found through seeking was predicted by intention to vaccinate (p = .011). As such, we suggest that intention to vaccinate during early pregnancy plays a role in whether the information found through seeking influences women towards or away from vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Clarke
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
| | - Miroslav Sirota
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex , Colchester , UK
| | - Pauline Paterson
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
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Laraway S, Snycerski S, Pradhan S, Huitema BE. An Overview of Scientific Reproducibility: Consideration of Relevant Issues for Behavior Science/Analysis. Perspect Behav Sci 2019; 42:33-57. [PMID: 31976420 PMCID: PMC6701706 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-019-00193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
For over a decade, the failure to reproduce findings in several disciplines, including the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, have led some authors to claim that there is a so-called "replication (or reproducibility) crisis" in those disciplines. The current article examines: (a) various aspects of the reproducibility of scientific studies, including definitions of reproducibility; (b) published concerns about reproducibility in the scientific literature and public press; (c) variables involved in assessing the success of attempts to reproduce a study; (d) suggested factors responsible for reproducibility failures; (e) types of validity of experimental studies and threats to validity as they relate to reproducibility; and (f) evidence for threats to reproducibility in the behavior science/analysis literature. Suggestions for improving the reproducibility of studies in behavior science and analysis are described throughout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Laraway
- Department of Psychology, San José State University, San José, CA 95192-0120 USA
| | - Susan Snycerski
- Department of Psychology, San José State University, San José, CA 95192-0120 USA
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29
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Murdoch B, Caulfield T. Influenza vaccination discourse in major Canadian news media, 2017-2018. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00970. [PMID: 30519662 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza vaccine uptake is less-than-ideal in many jurisdictions, including Canada. In this study we sought to assess news articles relating to influenza vaccination by major Canadian newspapers during a six-month period relatively congruent to the seasonal influenza outbreak for 2017-2018. We identified 116 unique articles published between August 16, 2017 and February 15, 2018, then developed and applied a coding frame to them. Influenza vaccination was portrayed primarily positively (74.14%), sometimes negatively (14.66%), and occasionally neutrally (11.21%). Articles were most commonly focused on news about the prevalence, or amount of harm/death caused by, the influenza virus (31.03%), or on public announcements primarily concerning influenza vaccination (17.24%). Benefits of influenza vaccination were often stated (59.48%), most commonly including reduction in disease (47.41%) and protection of vulnerable individuals (26.72%). Issues or problems with influenza vaccination were also often stated (55.17%), most commonly relating to low or non-effectiveness of the vaccine (43.10%). Most articles stated that people should get vaccinated (65.52%). Canadian newspaper articles generally support the scientific consensus that influenza vaccination is a highly positive intervention. Nonetheless, a clear picture of the true value of influenza vaccination may sometimes be missing in articles focusing on low effectiveness and lacking any mention of vaccination's positive value. Overall, we can reasonably conclude that, in Canada, misinformation and antivaccination rhetoric are coming primarily from sources other than newspapers.
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30
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Maurici M, Arigliani M, Dugo V, Leo C, Pettinicchio V, Arigliani R, Franco E. Empathy in vaccination counselling: a survey on the impact of a three-day residential course. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 15:631-636. [PMID: 30325260 PMCID: PMC6605730 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1536587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In an era of hesitance to use vaccines, the importance of effective communication for increasing vaccine acceptance is well known. This study aimed to assess the impact of a three-day residential course concerning empathy and counselling abilities on patients' ratings of the level of empathy of physicians and nurses working in vaccination centers. METHODS The empathy of healthcare providers was evaluated using the Adapted Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure. The survey involved 20 healthcare workers, doctors, and nurses in three immunization services of a Local Health Unit in South Italy. Before and after attending the course, all of them administered the questionnaire to 50 consecutive parents of vaccinated children. Statistical tests were used to assess the homogeneity of pre- and post -course samples, to measure the level of empathy perceived by parents in doctors and nurses in pre- and post-course evaluations, and to compare the average CARE Measure scores among groups. RESULTS Analysis of the questionnaires showed an increase of "excellent" scores and statistically significant differences between the pre- and post -course median values. Statistically significant differences between doctors and nurses were shown in almost all questions pre-course and in only four questions post-course. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that a residential course is effective at improving patient-rated empathy of doctors and nurses working in vaccination centers and could result in an increase of parents' adherence to vaccination programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Maurici
- a Department of Biomedicine and Prevention , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Italy
| | - Michele Arigliani
- b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences , University Hospital of Udine , Italy
| | - Valentina Dugo
- c Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Specialization School for Hygiene and Preventive Medicine , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Carlo Leo
- d Department of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences , University Hospital of Udine, Italy TO Department of Medicine , Udine , Italy
| | - Valentina Pettinicchio
- c Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Specialization School for Hygiene and Preventive Medicine , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Raffaele Arigliani
- e Department of Biomedicine and Prevention , Specialization School for Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Elisabetta Franco
- a Department of Biomedicine and Prevention , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Italy
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31
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Fujita DM, Salvador FS, Nali LHDS, Luna EJDA. Decreasing vaccine coverage rates lead to increased vulnerability to the importation of vaccine-preventable diseases in Brazil. J Travel Med 2018; 25:5127106. [PMID: 30312442 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Minoru Fujita
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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