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Brisson JB, Grace D, Perez-Brumer AG. Collective antiretroviral protection: new dimensions of community HIV prevention practices at the intersection of U=U and PrEP. Lancet HIV 2024; 11:e341-e344. [PMID: 38513674 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(24)00034-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Collective antiretroviral protection is an evolving sexual health strategy in HIV prevention, used in particular by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The strategy involves HIV-negative individuals who engage in condomless sexual activities but, instead of using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) themselves, choose partners who either have undetectable viral loads or are on PrEP. This biomedical-sorting practice, rooted in the scientific principles of undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U) and PrEP, relies on an indirect protection strategy. Collective antiretroviral protection allows for HIV-negative individuals not on PrEP to benefit from their partner's antiretroviral use, without directly consuming antiretrovirals themselves for HIV prevention, during condomless sex. Empirical research is needed to evaluate the public health implications of this emerging sexual health approach. Research and public health initiatives should adopt a non-stigmatising approach to individuals engaging in collective antiretroviral protection and look beyond individual behaviour to understand the broader community-level effects of this innovative HIV prevention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien B Brisson
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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2
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Pavey L, Rotella A, Vallée-Tourangeau G. Moral obligation, autonomous motivation and vaccine hesitancy: Highlighting moral obligation increases reactance in hesitant individuals. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024. [PMID: 38561930 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12540] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Vaccine hesitancy is widespread, and developing effective communication strategies that encourage hesitant individuals to choose vaccination is essential. This pre-registered research aimed to examine associations among moral obligation, autonomous motivation, vaccination intentions and reactance, and to test messages highlighting moral obligation and autonomy support. In Study 1, participants who had not received a Covid-19 vaccine (N = 1036) completed measures of autonomous motivation, moral obligation, reactance, intentions to vaccinate and vaccine hesitancy. Autonomous motivation and moral obligation emerged as strong independent predictors of lower reactance, lower hesitancy and greater vaccination intentions. In Study 2 (N = 429), the participants received a vaccination-promoting message that highlighted moral obligation versus personal protection and used autonomy supportive versus controlling language. Messages with autonomy-supportive language and highlighting personal protection elicited lower reactance and greater perceived legitimacy compared to messages with controlling language and highlighting moral obligation. All messages elicited greater reactance and lower perceived legitimacy compared to an information-only message, and there were no effects of message type on vaccination intentions or vaccine hesitancy. The research has implications for the design of communications encouraging vaccination in hesitant individuals and suggests caution should be taken when developing messages to encourage vaccination in hesitant individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Pavey
- Department of Psychology, Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, UK
| | - Amanda Rotella
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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3
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Paula Martins J, Almeida Alatzatianos G, Mendes Camargo T, Augusto Lima Marson F. Overview of childhood vaccination coverage in Brazil and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: Is our children's health at risk? A review of pre-COVID-19 periods and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine X 2024; 17:100430. [PMID: 38299202 PMCID: PMC10825611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2024.100430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has had a great impact on several aspects related to the population's health, including the vaccination adherence rate. This study describes how childhood vaccination coverage (CVC) in Brazil was affected by the pandemic in the period from 2020 to 2022 and explores the relationship between this data and the Human Development Index (HDI), and the number of votes received in the government with a right-wing political ideology. Methods An ecological analysis of CVC was carried out including 12 vaccines. The HDI was evaluated considering the HDI-General, HDI-Income, HDI-Longevity, and HDI-Education. The percentage of valid votes received by the former president (right-wing political ideology) was also obtained. Spearman correlation tests were applied to compare markers. Results During the period analyzed, it was observed a linear growth trend in CVC between 2015 and 2018 regarding all vaccines. However, from 2018 onwards, after the presidential elections in Brazil, the CVC reduced significantly, showing an even more pronounced decrease with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This reduction in CVC observed for some vaccines was related to the higher percentage of votes for the government with a right-wing political ideology, especially in relation to the BCG (bacillus Calmette and Guerin) and pentavalent (protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria) vaccines. In addition, when analyzing the HDI, it was observed that the lowest values of this indicator were associated with a more expressive reduction in CVC, mainly related to yellow fever, pentavalent, 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate, Human rotavirus, and triple viral (protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella - MMR) vaccines. Conclusion Although Brazil has a successful and exemplary record in combating several diseases, mainly due to the high rate of CVC, the continuous reduction in this coverage must be thoroughly evaluated by health managers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fernando Augusto Lima Marson
- Corresponding author at: São Francisco University, Postgraduate Program in Health Science, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics. Avenida São Francisco de Assis, 218. Jardim São José, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Zhang LN, Jiang CH, Si F, Song N, Yang W, Zhu Y, Luo Y, Guo JH. Long-Term Field Application of a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterial Consortium Suppressed Root-Knot Disease by Shaping the Rhizosphere Microbiota. PLANT DISEASE 2024; 108:94-103. [PMID: 37467122 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-09-22-2196-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most economically important plant parasitic nematodes, infecting almost all cultivated plants and resulting in severe yield losses every year. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been extensively used to prevent and control root-knot diseases and increase yield. In this study, the effect of a consortium of three PGPR strains (Bacillus cereus AR156, B. subtilis SM21, and Serratia sp. XY21; hereafter "BBS") on root-knot disease of cucumber was evaluated. The application of BBS significantly reduced the severity of root-knot disease by 56 to 72%, increased yield by 36 to 55%, and improved fruit quality by 14 to 90% and soil properties by 1 to 90% relative to the control in the cucumber fields of the Nanjing suburb, Jiangsu Province, from 2015 to 2018. BBS altered the rhizosphere bacterial community. Compared with the control group, it significantly (false discovery rate, P < 0.05) increased the abundance of 14 bacterial genera that were negatively correlated with disease severity. Additionally, the redundancy analysis suggested that BBS-treated rhizosphere soil samples were dominated by disease-suppressive bacteria, including the genera Iamia, Kutzneria, Salinibacterium, Mycobacterium, Kribbella, Pseudonocardia, Sporichthya, Sphaerisporangium, Actinomadura, Flavisolibacter, Phenylobacterium, Bosea, Hyphomicrobium, Agrobacterium, Sphingomonas, and Nannocystis, which were positively related to total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total organic matter, dissolved organic carbon, [Formula: see text]-N, and available phosphorus contents. This suggests that BBS suppresses root-knot nematodes and improves the soil chemical properties of cucumber by altering the rhizosphere microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology Around Hongze Lake, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, School of Life Science, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, China
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Engineering Center of Bioresource Pesticide in Jiangsu Province, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, China
- Jiangsu Coastal Area Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Yancheng 224002, China
| | - Chun-Hao Jiang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Engineering Center of Bioresource Pesticide in Jiangsu Province, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Fangjie Si
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Engineering Center of Bioresource Pesticide in Jiangsu Province, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ning Song
- Nanjing Planck Technology and Trade Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology Around Hongze Lake, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, School of Life Science, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, China
| | - Yanze Zhu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Yuming Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology Around Hongze Lake, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, School of Life Science, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, China
| | - Jian-Hua Guo
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Engineering Center of Bioresource Pesticide in Jiangsu Province, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, China
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Caserotti M, Girardi P, Sellaro R, Rubaltelli E, Tasso A, Lotto L, Gavaruzzi T. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? The interplay between pro- and against- vaccination reasons. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2207. [PMID: 37946143 PMCID: PMC10634164 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17112-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND By mid 2023, European countries reached 75% of vaccine coverage for COVID-19 and although vaccination rates are quite high, many people are still hesitant. A plethora of studies have investigated factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, however, insufficient attention has been paid to the reasons why people get vaccinated against COVID-19. Our work aims to investigate the role of reasons in the decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in a representative sample of 1,689 adult Italians (March-April 2021) balanced in terms of age, gender, educational level and area of residence. METHODS Through an online questionnaire, we asked participants to freely report up to three reasons for and against COVID-19 vaccination, and the weight each had in the decision to get vaccinated. We first investigated the role of emotional competence and COVID-19 risk perception in the generation of both reasons using regression models. Next, we studied the role that the different reasons had in the vaccination decision, considering both the intention to vaccinate (using a beta regression model) and the decision made by the participants who already had the opportunity to get vaccinated (using a logistic regression model). Finally, two different classification tree analyses were carried out to characterize profiles with a low or high willingness to get vaccinated or with a low or high probability to accept/book the vaccine. RESULTS High emotional competence positively influences the generation of both reasons (ORs > 1.5), whereas high risk perception increases the generation of positive reasons (ORs > 1.4) while decreasing reasons against vaccination (OR = 0.64). As pro-reasons increase, vaccination acceptance increases, while the opposite happens as against-reasons increase (all p < 0.001). One strong reason in favor of vaccines is enough to unbalance the decision toward acceptance of vaccination, even when reasons against it are also present (p < 0.001). Protection and absence of distrust are the reasons that mostly drive willingness to be vaccinated and acceptance of an offered vaccine. CONCLUSIONS Knowing the reasons that drive people's decision about such an important choice can suggest new communication insights to reduce possible negative reactions toward vaccination and people's hesitancy. Results are discussed considering results of other national and international studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Caserotti
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Paolo Girardi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venezia, Venice, Italy
| | - Roberta Sellaro
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Enrico Rubaltelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Lorella Lotto
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Teresa Gavaruzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Plechatá A, Vandeweerdt C, Atchapero M, Luong T, Holz C, Betsch C, Dietermann B, Schultka Y, Böhm R, Makransky G. Experiencing herd immunity in virtual reality increases COVID-19 vaccination intention: Evidence from a large-scale field intervention study. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2023; 139:107533. [PMID: 36277032 PMCID: PMC9576250 DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR) simulation of herd immunity on vaccination intentions and its potential underlying mechanisms. In this preregistered field study, N = 654 participants were randomly assigned to one of the three VR conditions: (1) Gamified Herd Immunity; (2) Gamified Herd Immunity + Empathy (with additional narrative elements); (3) Control (gamified with no vaccination-related content). In the Gamified Herd Immunity simulation, participants embodied a vulnerable person and navigated a wedding venue trying to avoid getting infected. A total of 455 participants with below maximum intentions to take a novel vaccine and without severe cybersickness were analyzed. The Gamified Herd Immunity + Empathy and the Gamified Herd Immunity conditions increased vaccination intentions by 6.68 and 7.06 points on a 0-100 scale, respectively, compared to 1.91 for the Control condition. The Gamified Herd Immunity + Empathy condition enhanced empathy significantly more than the Gamified Herd Immunity condition but did not result in higher vaccination intentions. Experienced presence was related to the change in vaccination intentions. The results suggest that VR vaccination communication can effectively increase vaccination intentions; the effect is not solely due to the technological novelty and does not depend on empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adéla Plechatá
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark,Corresponding author
| | - Clara Vandeweerdt
- Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Atchapero
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tiffany Luong
- Department of Computer Science, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 6, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Holz
- Department of Computer Science, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 6, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Betsch
- Media and Communication Science, University of Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 63, 99089, Erfurt, Germany,Center for Empirical Research in Economics and Behavioral Sciences, University of Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 63, 99089, Erfurt, Germany,Health Communication, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bonnie Dietermann
- Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yori Schultka
- Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Böhm
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark,Department of Occupational, Economic, And Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Universitätsstrasse 7, 1010, Vienna, Austria,Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guido Makransky
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Marlowe E, Pranikoff S, Borsheim B, Salafian K, Halvorson EE, Kram DE. Pilot study to determine effect of an altruism intervention focusing on herd immunity to enhance influenza vaccination rates. Vaccine 2022; 40:6625-6630. [PMID: 36210252 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.09.074] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A prospective, single-arm clinical trial was conducted to evaluate an altruism-tailored educational intervention to improve parental attitudes and vaccine uptake in vaccine-hesitant parents. METHODS Vaccine-hesitant parents at two primary care sites, spanning two influenza seasons from 2020 to 2021 were provided an intervention (spoken and written communication) which highlighted altruistic benefits of accepting the seasonal influenza vaccine to optimize herd immunity to help protect pediatric cancer patients. Eligible parents included those with children eligible for the seasonal influenza vaccine, those who were proficient in English, and those with scores on the adjusted Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (aVHS) suggesting vaccine hesitancy (score ≥ 3). Enrollees completed a demographic questionnaire, underwent the educational intervention, and repeated the aVHS. Vaccination status at that visit was assessed. The primary outcome was change in aVHS scores obtained pre- and post-intervention. Influenza vaccine acceptance, along with demographic information, were also analyzed. RESULTS We enrolled 510 parents of influenza vaccine eligible children and identified 73 vaccine-hesitant parents. There was an overall trend toward lower aVHS score, with a mean change in hesitancy score of -0.4 (P < 0.01). 43/73 (58.9 %) of the cohort experienced a positive effect toward a lower aVHS score, and 27/73 (37.0 %) of vaccine hesitant subjects became non-hesitant on the aVHS. Several demographic characteristics were associated with vaccine hesitancy in the screening population: educational level lower than bachelor's degree (p = 0.03), household income < 400 % of federal poverty level (p < 0.01), unmarried (p = 0.02), and identifying with a political affiliation other than Democrat (p < 0.01). However, no demographic characteristics were significantly associated with an individual becoming non-hesitant. Our altruism-tailored communication approach carried the largest positive impact on the altruism-specific question on the aVHS, decreasing the post-intervention response value by nearly 25 % (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our altruism-tailored communication approach significantly improved attitudes regarding childhood influenza vaccine among vaccine-hesitant parents. CLINICALTRIALS gov Identifier: NCT04568590.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Marlowe
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Sarah Pranikoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Briana Borsheim
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kiarash Salafian
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Halvorson
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - David E Kram
- Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Andersson PA, Tinghög G, Västfjäll D. The effect of herd immunity thresholds on willingness to vaccinate. HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 9:243. [PMID: 35874284 PMCID: PMC9294790 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-022-01257-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, media and policymakers openly speculated about the number of immune citizens needed to reach a herd immunity threshold. What are the effects of such numerical goals on the willingness to vaccinate? In a large representative sample (N = 1540) of unvaccinated Swedish citizens, we find that giving a low (60%) compared to a high (90%) threshold has direct effects on beliefs about reaching herd immunity and beliefs about how many others that will get vaccinated. Presenting the high threshold makes people believe that herd immunity is harder to reach (on average about half a step on a seven-point scale), compared to the low threshold. Yet at the same time, people also believe that a higher number of the population will get vaccinated (on average about 3.3% more of the population). Since these beliefs affect willingness to vaccinate in opposite directions, some individuals are encouraged and others discouraged depending on the threshold presented. Specifically, in mediation analysis, the high threshold indirectly increases vaccination willingness through the belief that many others will get vaccinated (B = 0.027, p = 0.003). At the same time, the high threshold also decreases vaccination willingness through the belief that the threshold goal is less attainable (B = -0.053, p < 0.001) compared to the low threshold condition. This has consequences for ongoing COVID-19 vaccination and future vaccination campaigns. One message may not fit all, as different groups can be encouraged or discouraged from vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per A. Andersson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linkoping university, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Gustav Tinghög
- Department of Management and Engineering, Linkoping university, Linkoping, Sweden
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linkoping university, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Västfjäll
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linkoping university, Linkoping, Sweden
- Decision Research, Eugene, OR USA
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Reczulska A, Tomaszewska A, Raciborski F. Level of Acceptance of Mandatory Vaccination and Legal Sanctions for Refusing Mandatory Vaccination of Children. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050811. [PMID: 35632568 PMCID: PMC9146574 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A preventive vaccination program is in operation in Poland. There are mandatory vaccinations for Polish residents under the age of 19 years. The law provides for financial penalties for parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes of Polish residents aged 15–39 years to mandatory preventive vaccination and the level of acceptance for legal and financial sanctions for refusing mandatory vaccination of children. Materials and Methods: A face-to-face questionnaire-based study of a representative sample of 1560 residents of Poland aged 15–39 years. Data was collected in the fourth quarter of 2021. Results: In the study group, 51.5% of the respondents believed that preventive vaccination should be mandatory, and parents should have the right to decide only about additional vaccinations. Multivariate analyses (logistic regression) revealed a significant association between acceptance of mandatory vaccination and the following factors: positive COVID-19 vaccination status, self-declared religiosity, and having children. Of the 1560 respondents, 25.3% declared support for legal or financial sanctions for those refusing to vaccinate their children. In this group (n = 394), the highest percentage of respondents (59.4%) supported sanctions in the form of refusal to admit an unvaccinated child to a nursery or kindergarten. Conclusions: Despite preventive (mandatory) vaccination programs having been in operation in Poland since the 1960′s, only a little over 50% of adolescent Poles and young adults accept the vaccine mandate. Only 25% of this group declare their support for sanctions for refusing mandatory vaccination of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Reczulska
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48–22-599–20-39; Fax: +48–22-599–20-42
| | - Aneta Tomaszewska
- Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards, Allergology and Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (A.T.); (F.R.)
| | - Filip Raciborski
- Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards, Allergology and Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (A.T.); (F.R.)
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Opel DJ, Reich JA, Peek ME. Amplifying Appeals to the Common Good in COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2022; 3:e220991. [DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.0991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J. Opel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
- Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Monica E. Peek
- Section of General Internal Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Leder J, Schütz A, Pastukhov A. Keeping the Kids Home. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/1864-9335/a000463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social consequences in day-to-day decisions might not have been salient to the decider and thus egoistic. How can prosocial intentions be increased? In an experimental vignette study with N = 206, we compared the likelihood that parents send sick children to kindergarten after four interventions (general information about COVID-19, empathy, reflection of consequences via mental simulation, and control group). Independent of the intervention, empathic concern with individuals who were affected by COVID-19 and the salience of social consequences were high. The reported likelihood of sending a sick child to kindergarten was somewhat reduced in the control group and even more reduced in the reflection and empathy group, but not in the information group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Leder
- Department of Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment, University of Bamberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Schütz
- Department of Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment, University of Bamberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Pastukhov
- Department of Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment, University of Bamberg, Germany
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Vandeweerdt C, Luong T, Atchapero M, Mottelson A, Holz C, Makransky G, Böhm R. Virtual reality reduces COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the wild: a randomized trial. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4593. [PMID: 35301359 PMCID: PMC8928717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08120-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine hesitancy poses one of the largest threats to global health. Informing people about the collective benefit of vaccination has great potential in increasing vaccination intentions. This research investigates the potential for engaging experiences in immersive virtual reality (VR) to strengthen participants' understanding of community immunity, and therefore, their intention to get vaccinated. In a pre-registered lab-in-the-field intervention study, participants were recruited in a public park (tested: [Formula: see text], analyzed: [Formula: see text]). They were randomly assigned to experience the collective benefit of community immunity in a gamified immersive virtual reality environment ([Formula: see text] of sample), or to receive the same information via text and images ([Formula: see text] of sample). Before and after the intervention, participants indicated their intention to take up a hypothetical vaccine for a new COVID-19 strain (0-100 scale) and belief in vaccination as a collective responsibility (1-7 scale). The study employs a crossover design (participants later received a second treatment), but the primary outcome is the effect of the first treatment on vaccination intention. After the VR treatment, for participants with less-than-maximal vaccination intention, intention increases by 9.3 points (95% CI: 7.0 to [Formula: see text]). The text-and-image treatment raises vaccination intention by 3.3 points (difference in effects: 5.8, 95% CI: 2.0 to [Formula: see text]). The VR treatment also increases collective responsibility by 0.82 points (95% CI: 0.37 to [Formula: see text]). The results suggest that VR interventions are an effective tool for boosting vaccination intention, and that they can be applied "in the wild"-providing a complementary method for vaccine advocacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Vandeweerdt
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Tiffany Luong
- Department of Computer Science, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Atchapero
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christian Holz
- Department of Computer Science, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Guido Makransky
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert Böhm
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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13
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Kaufman J, Bagot KL, Tuckerman J, Biezen R, Oliver J, Jos C, Ong DS, Manski‐Nankervis J, Seale H, Sanci L, Munro J, Bell JS, Leask J, Danchin M. Qualitative exploration of intentions, concerns and information needs of vaccine-hesitant adults initially prioritised to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health 2022; 46:16-24. [PMID: 34897909 PMCID: PMC9968588 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tailored communication is necessary to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increase uptake. We aimed to understand the information needs, perceived benefits and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination of people prioritised, but hesitant to receive the vaccine. METHOD In this qualitative study in Victoria, Australia (February-May 2021), we purposively sampled hesitant adults who were health or aged/disability care workers (n=20), or adults aged 18-69 with comorbidities or aged ≥70 years ('prioritised adults'; n=19). We thematically analysed interviews inductively, then deductively organised themes within the World Health Organization Behavioural and Social Drivers of vaccination model. Two stakeholder workshops (n=12) explored understanding and preferences for communicating risks and benefits. We subsequently formed communication recommendations. RESULTS Prioritised adults and health and aged care workers had short- and long-term safety concerns specific to personal circumstances, and felt like "guinea pigs". They saw vaccination as beneficial for individual and community protection and travel. Some health and aged care workers felt insufficiently informed to recommend vaccines, or viewed this as outside their scope of practice. Workshop participants requested interactive materials and transparency from spokespeople about uncertainty. Conclusions and public health implications: Eleven recommendations address communication content, delivery and context to increase uptake and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Kaufman
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria,Correspondence to: Dr Jessica Kaufman, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052
| | | | - Jane Tuckerman
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria
| | - Ruby Biezen
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Victoria
| | - Jane Oliver
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria,The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Victoria
| | - Carol Jos
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria
| | | | | | - Holly Seale
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, New South Wales
| | - Lena Sanci
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Victoria
| | - Jane Munro
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria,The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria
| | - J. Simon Bell
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria
| | - Julie Leask
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, New South Wales
| | - Margie Danchin
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria,The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria
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14
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Sääksvuori L, Betsch C, Nohynek H, Salo H, Sivelä J, Böhm R. Information nudges for influenza vaccination: Evidence from a large-scale cluster-randomized controlled trial in Finland. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003919. [PMID: 35139082 PMCID: PMC8870595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Despite the proven benefits of vaccination, vaccine hesitancy keeps many people from getting vaccinated. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a large-scale cluster randomized controlled trial in Finland to test the effectiveness of centralized written reminders (distributed via mail) on influenza vaccination coverage. The study included the entire older adult population (aged 65 years and above) in 2 culturally and geographically distinct regions with historically low (31.8%, n = 7,398, mean age 75.5 years) and high (57.7%, n = 40,727, mean age 74.0 years) influenza vaccination coverage. The study population was randomized into 3 treatments: (i) no reminder (only in the region with low vaccination coverage); (ii) an individual-benefits reminder, informing recipients about the individual benefits of vaccination; and (iii) an individual- and social-benefits reminder, informing recipients about the additional social benefits of vaccination in the form of herd immunity. There was no control treatment group in the region with high vaccination coverage as general reminders had been sent in previous years. The primary endpoint was a record of influenza vaccination in the Finnish National Vaccination Register during a 5-month follow-up period (from October 18, 2018 to March 18, 2019). Vaccination coverage after the intervention in the region with historically low coverage was 41.8% in the individual-benefits treatment, 38.9% in the individual- and social-benefits treatment and 34.0% in the control treatment group. Vaccination coverage after the intervention in the region with historically high coverage was 59.0% in the individual-benefits treatment and 59.2% in the individual- and social-benefits treatment. The effect of receiving any type of reminder letter in comparison to control treatment group (no reminder) was 6.4 percentage points (95% CI: 3.6 to 9.1, p < 0.001). The effect of reminders was particularly large among individuals with no prior influenza vaccination (8.8 pp, 95% CI: 6.5 to 11.1, p < 0.001). There was a substantial positive effect (5.3 pp, 95% CI: 2.8 to 7.8, p < 0.001) among the most consistently unvaccinated individuals who had not received any type of vaccine during the 9 years prior to the study. There was no difference in influenza vaccination coverage between the individual-benefit reminder and the individual- and social-benefit reminder (region with low vaccination coverage: 2.9 pp, 95% CI: -0.4 to 6.1, p = 0.087, region with high vaccination coverage: 0.2 pp, 95% CI: -1.0 to 1.3, p = 0.724). Study limitations included potential contamination between the treatments due to information spillovers and the lack of control treatment group in the region with high vaccination coverage. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that sending reminders was an effective and scalable intervention strategy to increase vaccination coverage in an older adult population with low vaccination coverage. Communicating the social benefits of vaccinations, in addition to individual benefits, did not enhance vaccination coverage. The effectiveness of letter reminders about the benefits of vaccination to improve influenza vaccination coverage may depend on the prior vaccination history of the population. TRIAL REGISTRATION AEA RCT registry AEARCTR-0003520 and ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03748160.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri Sääksvuori
- Tampere University, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere, Finland
- University of Turku, INVEST Research Flagship Center, Turku, Finland
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Centre for Health and Social Economics, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Cornelia Betsch
- University of Erfurt, Media and Communication Science and Center for Empirical Research in Economics and Behavioral Sciences, Erfurt, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Nohynek
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations, Department of Health Security, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heini Salo
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations, Department of Health Security, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonas Sivelä
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations, Department of Health Security, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Robert Böhm
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Psychology, Vienna, Austria
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Psychology and Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS), Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Fu C, Lyu X, Mi M. Collective Value Promotes the Willingness to Share Pro-Vaccination Messages on Social Media in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint). JMIR Form Res 2021; 6:e35744. [PMID: 36067417 PMCID: PMC9534273 DOI: 10.2196/35744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The proliferation of vaccine misinformation on social media has seriously corrupted the public’s confidence in vaccination. Proactively sharing provaccination messages on social media is a cost-effective way to enhance global vaccination rates and resist vaccine misinformation. However, few strategies for encouraging the public to proactively share vaccine-related knowledge on social media have been developed. Objective This research examines the effect of value type (individual vs collective) and message framing (gain vs loss) on influenza vaccination intention (experiment 1) and the willingness to share provaccination messages (experiment 2) among Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary aim was to evaluate whether messages that emphasized collective value were more effective in increasing the willingness to share than messages that emphasized individual value. Methods We enrolled 450 Chinese adults for experiment 1 (n=250, 55.6%) and experiment 2 (n=200, 44.4%). Participants were randomly assigned to individual-gain, individual-loss, collective-gain, or collective-loss conditions with regard to the message in each experiment using the online survey platform’s randomization function. Experiment 1 also included a control group. The primary outcome was influenza vaccination intention in experiment 1 and the willingness to share provaccination messages in experiment 2. Results The valid sample included 213 adults in experiment 1 (females: n=151, 70.9%; mean age 29 [SD 9] years; at least some college education: n=202, 94.8%; single: n=131, 61.5%) and 171 adults in experiment 2 (females: n=106, 62.0%; mean age 28 [SD 7] years; at least some college education: n=163, 95.3%; single: n=95, 55.6%). Influenza vaccination intention was stronger in the individual-value conditions than in the collective-value conditions (F3,166=4.96, P=.03, η2=0.03). The reverse result was found for the willingness to share provaccination messages (F3,165=6.87, P=.01, η2=0.04). Specifically, participants who received a message emphasizing collective value had a higher intention to share the message than participants who read a message emphasizing individual value (F3,165=6.87, P=.01, η2=0.04), and the perceived responsibility for message sharing played a mediating role (indirect effect=0.23, 95% lower limit confidence interval [LLCI] 0.41, 95% upper limit confidence interval [ULCI] 0.07). In addition, gain framing facilitated influenza vaccination intention more than loss framing (F3,166=5.96, P=.02, η2=0.04). However, experiment 2 did not find that message framing affected message-sharing willingness. Neither experiment found an interaction between value type and message framing. Conclusions Strengthened individual value rather than collective value is more likely to persuade Chinese adults to vaccinate. However, these adults are more likely to share a message that emphasizes collective rather than individual value, and the perceived responsibility for message sharing plays a mediating role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Fu
- Department of Social Psychology, Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaokang Lyu
- Department of Social Psychology, Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingdi Mi
- Students' Affairs Division, Weinan Vocational & Technical College, Weinan, China
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16
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A self-administered virtual reality intervention increases COVID-19 vaccination intention. Vaccine 2021; 39:6746-6753. [PMID: 34654579 PMCID: PMC8498751 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Effective interventions for increasing people's intention to get vaccinated are crucial for global health, especially considering COVID-19. We devised a novel intervention using virtual reality (VR) consisting of a consultation with a general practitioner for communicating the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and, in turn, increasing the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19. We conducted a preregistered online experiment with a 2×2 between-participant design. People with eligible VR headsets were invited to install our experimental application and complete the ten minute virtual consultation study at their own discretion. Participants were randomly assigned across two age conditions (young or old self-body) and two communication conditions (with provision of personal benefit of vaccination only, or collective and personal benefit). The primary outcome was vaccination intention (score range 1-100) measured three times: immediately before and after the study, as well as one week later. Five-hundred-and-seven adults not vaccinated against COVID-19 were recruited. Among the 282 participants with imperfect vaccination intentions (<100), the VR intervention increased pre-to-post vaccination intentions across intervention conditions (mean difference 8.6, 95% CI 6.1 to 11.1,p<0.0001). The pre-to-post difference significantly correlated with the vaccination intention one week later, ρ=0.20,p<0.0001. The VR intervention was effective in increasing COVID-19 vaccination intentions both when only personal benefits and personal and collective benefits of vaccination were communicated, with significant retention one week after the intervention. Utilizing recent evidence from health psychology and embodiment research to develop immersive environments with customized and salient communication efforts could therefore be an effective tool to complement public health campaigns.
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17
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Machida M, Nakamura I, Kojima T, Saito R, Nakaya T, Hanibuchi T, Takamiya T, Odagiri Y, Fukushima N, Kikuchi H, Amagasa S, Watanabe H, Inoue S. Trends in COVID-19 vaccination intent from pre- to post-COVID-19 vaccine distribution and their associations with the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination by sex and age in Japan. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:3954-3962. [PMID: 34723753 PMCID: PMC8828139 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1968217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine hesitancy regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many recent studies have reported that the confidence of the vaccination and perceived risk were associated with vaccination intent, yet few studies have focused on other psychological factors. This study aimed to clarify the trends in COVID-19 vaccination intent and to identify the association between the 5C psychological antecedents and COVID-19 vaccination intent by sex and age in Japan. This was a longitudinal study conducted through an Internet-based survey from January 2021 to April 2021 before and after vaccine distribution in Japan, including 2,655 participants recruited by quota sampling. Participants were asked to indicate how likely they were to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In the second survey, the participants responded to questions regarding the 5C psychological antecedents: confidence, complacency, constraints (structural and psychological barriers), calculation (engagement in extensive information searching), and collective responsibility (willingness to protect others). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify the association between the 5C psychological antecedents and COVID-19 vaccination intent in the second wave survey. COVID-19 vaccination intent improved from 62.1% to 72.4% after vaccine distribution, but no significant difference was found in young men. Confidence and collective responsibility were positively associated with vaccination intent, and calculation was negatively associated among all generations. COVID-19 vaccination intent may be affected not only by confidence and constraints but also by calculation and collective responsibility, and further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Machida
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Itaru Nakamura
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takako Kojima
- Department of International Medical Communications, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Reiko Saito
- Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tomoki Nakaya
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tomoya Hanibuchi
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tomoko Takamiya
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Odagiri
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noritoshi Fukushima
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kikuchi
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Amagasa
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Watanabe
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeru Inoue
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Lazić A, Kalinova KN, Packer J, Pae R, Petrović MB, Popović D, Sievert DEC, Stafford-Johnson N. Social nudges for vaccination: How communicating herd behaviour influences vaccination intentions. Br J Health Psychol 2021; 26:1219-1237. [PMID: 34495566 PMCID: PMC8646271 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This Registered Report attempted to conceptually replicate the finding that communicating herd immunity increases vaccination intentions (Betsch, et al., 2017, Nat. Hum. Behav., 0056). An additional objective was to explore the roles of descriptive social norms (vaccination behaviour of others) and the herd‐immunity threshold (coverage needed to stop disease transmission). Design An online experiment with a 2 (herd‐immunity explanation: present vs. absent) × 3 (descriptive norm: high vs. low vs. absent) × 2 (herd‐immunity threshold: present vs. absent) between‐subjects fractional design. Methods Sample consisted of 543 people (aged 18–64) residing in the United Kingdom. Participants first received an explanation of herd immunity emphasising social benefits (protecting others) in both textual and animated‐infographic form. Next, they were faced with fictitious information about the disease, the vaccine, their country’s vaccination coverage (80% or 20%), and the herd‐immunity threshold (90%). Vaccination intention was self‐rated. Results Compared to the control, communicating social benefits of herd immunity was effective in increasing vaccination intentions (F(1,541) = 6.97, p = .009, Partial Eta‐Squared = 0.013). Communicating the descriptive norm or the herd‐immunity threshold alongside the herd‐immunity explanation demonstrated no observable effect. Conclusion Communicating social benefits of herd immunity increased self‐reported vaccination intentions against a fictitious disease, replicating previous findings. Although this result is positive, the practical relevance may be limited. Further research into the effect of social nudges to motivate vaccination is required, particularly with respect to the recent pandemic context and varying levels of vaccine hesitancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dora Popović
- University of Zagreb, Croatia.,Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Croatia
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19
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Böhm R, Betsch C. Prosocial vaccination. Curr Opin Psychol 2021; 43:307-311. [PMID: 34517200 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Most vaccines not only directly protect vaccinated individuals but also provide a social benefit through community protection. Therefore, vaccination can be considered a prosocial act to protect others. We review the recent empirical evidence on (i) how prosocial concerns relate to vaccination intentions and (ii) promoting prosocial vaccination through explaining community protection or inducing concern for vulnerable others. The available evidence suggests that promoting the prosocial aspect of vaccinations could be a vaccination communication strategy to improve vaccine uptake. We point to several areas in which future research can test the boundary conditions of this approach and increase its effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Böhm
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Universitätsstrasse 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria; Department of Psychology, Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS), University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Cornelia Betsch
- Center for Empirical Research in Economics and Behavioral Sciences (CEREB), Media and Communication Science, University of Erfurt, Nordhäuser Str. 63, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
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20
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How practice nurses engage with parents during their consultations about the MMR vaccine: a qualitative study. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2021; 22:e20. [PMID: 34039463 PMCID: PMC8167903 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423621000256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: We aimed to understand practice nurses’ perceptions about how they engage with parents during consultations concerning the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Background: The incidence of measles is increasing globally. Immunisation is recognised as the most significant intervention to influence global health in modern times, although many factors are known to adversely affect immunisation uptake. Practice nurses are a key member of the primary care team responsible for delivering immunisation. However, little is known how practice nurses perceive this role. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 practice nurses in England using a qualitative descriptive approach. Diversity in terms of years of experience and range of geographical practice settings were sought. These interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and open-coded using qualitative content analysis to manage, analyse and identify themes. Findings: Three themes were derived from the data: engaging with parents, the informed practice nurse and dealing with parental concerns: strategies to promote MMR uptake. During their consultations, practice nurses encountered parents who held strong opinions about the MMR vaccine and perceived this to be related to the parents’ socio-demographic background. Practice nurses sought to provide parents with tailored and accurate sources of information to apprise their immunisation decision-making about the MMR vaccine.
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21
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Fischer F, Carow F, Gillitzer S. Humor and Fear-Two Sides of the Same Coin?: Experimental Evidence on Humor Appeals in Health Communication Related to Childhood Vaccination. Front Public Health 2021; 9:649507. [PMID: 33987162 PMCID: PMC8112543 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.649507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Until now, health communication has largely failed to debunk fears and caveats related to vaccination. This study aims to investigate the effects of different text types used in health communication in an experimental study design. A neutrally formulated text was compared to a humorous text using the formula of a fairytale. Overall, the study indicates no additional value in using the humorous format as an innovative and target-group-oriented approach to inform readers about scientific evidence related to vaccination. Although the effects of the two text types do not differ, the credibility of the neutrally formulated text was much more likely to be judged as high. This indicates that the perception of credibility is not the only criterion in health communication leading to knowledge gains and changes in health-related attitudes and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Fischer
- Institute of Public Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Gerontological Health Services and Nursing Research, Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences, Weingarten, Germany
| | - Franziska Carow
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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22
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Korn L, Böhm R, Betsch C. Reply to Rabb et al.: Why promoting COVID-19 vaccines with community immunity is not a good strategy (yet). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2102054118. [PMID: 33762431 PMCID: PMC8040625 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102054118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lars Korn
- Media and Communication Science, University of Erfurt, 99089 Erfurt, Germany;
- Center for Empirical Research in Economics and Behavioral Sciences, University of Erfurt, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Böhm
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS), University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cornelia Betsch
- Media and Communication Science, University of Erfurt, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
- Center for Empirical Research in Economics and Behavioral Sciences, University of Erfurt, 99089 Erfurt, Germany
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23
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Gavaruzzi T, Caserotti M, Leo I, Tasso A, Speri L, Ferro A, Fretti E, Sannino A, Rubaltelli E, Lotto L. The Role of Emotional Competences in Parents' Vaccine Hesitancy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030298. [PMID: 33810071 PMCID: PMC8005154 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of parents’ emotional competencies on vaccine hesitancy and decision making has been seldom examined. Two studies investigated the relationship between parents’ attitudes towards childhood vaccines and self-reported behavior (Study 1) and between parents’ emotional competence and attitudes towards vaccines (Study 2). In Study 1, predictors of temporal, partial, or complete vaccine refusal (having voluntarily postponed/forgone some/all vaccines) were examined in 2778 parents. In Study 2, psychological predictors of the attitude towards vaccines were examined in 593 parents, using the Profile of Emotional Competence and the valence of mental images spontaneously associated with the term “vaccine”. In Study 1, attitudes were aggregated in three independent factors (concerns about vaccine safety; diseases prevented by vaccines; and naturalistic views) that independently predicted vaccine refusal. In Study 2, a significant mediational analysis showed a positive indirect effect of intrapersonal emotional competences on attitudes towards vaccines, through mental images associated with the word “vaccine”. Parents’ intrapersonal emotional competences affected all dimensions of attitudes towards vaccines, suggesting that being able to manage, identify, and recognize one’s own emotions is central to vaccine acceptance. These findings suggest that intervention strategies, rather than stressing the pro-social benefits of vaccinating, should focus on aspects related to one’s own emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Gavaruzzi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.C.); (I.L.); (E.R.); (L.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8271284
| | - Marta Caserotti
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.C.); (I.L.); (E.R.); (L.L.)
| | - Irene Leo
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.C.); (I.L.); (E.R.); (L.L.)
| | - Alessandra Tasso
- Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Leonardo Speri
- Department of Prevention, AULSS 9 Scaligera, 37122 Verona, Italy; (L.S.); (E.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonio Ferro
- Department of Prevention, APSS Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
| | - Elena Fretti
- Department of Prevention, AULSS 9 Scaligera, 37122 Verona, Italy; (L.S.); (E.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Sannino
- Department of Prevention, AULSS 9 Scaligera, 37122 Verona, Italy; (L.S.); (E.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Enrico Rubaltelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.C.); (I.L.); (E.R.); (L.L.)
| | - Lorella Lotto
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.C.); (I.L.); (E.R.); (L.L.)
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Hill MC, Salmon D, Chudleigh J, Aitken LM. Practice nurses' perceptions of their immunization role and strategies used to promote measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine uptake in 2014 - 2018: A qualitative study. J Adv Nurs 2020; 77:948-956. [PMID: 33222235 DOI: 10.1111/jan.14652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to explore which aspects of their role practice nurses perceive to be most influential and the strategies they employ to promote the MMR vaccine. DESIGN Qualitative study employing in depth interviews. METHOD Fifteen London based practice nurses, nine in 2014 and six in 2018, took part in semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to systematically manage, analyse, and identify themes. RESULTS Analysis of data identified aspects of their role practice nurses perceived to be most influential (the themes) including: promoting vaccination, assisting parents' to make informed decisions, and provided insight into how they used specific strategies to achieve these in practice. These themes were consistent over both phases of the study. CONCLUSION The findings provide an understanding of: (i) the practice nurses perceptions of the most important aspects of their role when promoting the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; and (ii) the strategies they implemented in practice to achieve these. The latter included assisting parents in their immunization decisions and was facilitated by practice nurses engaging with parents to provide relevant evidence to address parent queries, dispel misconceptions and tailor strategies to promote the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. IMPACT This study addresses the paucity of literature available that specifically explores practice nurses' perceptions of their role concerning the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. The findings reveal how practice nurses promote the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine by identifying strategies to enable parents to make informed decisions. At a time of an increasing incidence of measles, practice nurses have an important public health role in achieving herd immunity levels for measles, mumps, and rubella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie C Hill
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Debra Salmon
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Jane Chudleigh
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Leanne M Aitken
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
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25
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Hakim H, Bettinger JA, Chambers CT, Driedger SM, Dubé E, Gavaruzzi T, Giguere AMC, Kavanagh É, Leask J, MacDonald SE, Orji R, Parent E, Paquette JS, Roberge J, Sander B, Scherer AM, Tremblay-Breault M, Wilson K, Reinharz D, Witteman HO. A Web Application About Herd Immunity Using Personalized Avatars: Development Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e20113. [PMID: 33124994 PMCID: PMC7665952 DOI: 10.2196/20113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Herd immunity or community immunity refers to the reduced risk of infection among susceptible individuals in a population through the presence and proximity of immune individuals. Recent studies suggest that improving the understanding of community immunity may increase intentions to get vaccinated. OBJECTIVE This study aims to design a web application about community immunity and optimize it based on users' cognitive and emotional responses. METHODS Our multidisciplinary team developed a web application about community immunity to communicate epidemiological evidence in a personalized way. In our application, people build their own community by creating an avatar representing themselves and 8 other avatars representing people around them, for example, their family or coworkers. The application integrates these avatars in a 2-min visualization showing how different parameters (eg, vaccine coverage, and contact within communities) influence community immunity. We predefined communication goals, created prototype visualizations, and tested four iterative versions of our visualization in a university-based human-computer interaction laboratory and community-based settings (a cafeteria, two shopping malls, and a public library). Data included psychophysiological measures (eye tracking, galvanic skin response, facial emotion recognition, and electroencephalogram) to assess participants' cognitive and affective responses to the visualization and verbal feedback to assess their interpretations of the visualization's content and messaging. RESULTS Among 110 participants across all four cycles, 68 (61.8%) were women and 38 (34.5%) were men (4/110, 3.6%; not reported), with a mean age of 38 (SD 17) years. More than half (65/110, 59.0%) of participants reported having a university-level education. Iterative changes across the cycles included adding the ability for users to create their own avatars, specific signals about who was represented by the different avatars, using color and movement to indicate protection or lack of protection from infectious disease, and changes to terminology to ensure clarity for people with varying educational backgrounds. Overall, we observed 3 generalizable findings. First, visualization does indeed appear to be a promising medium for conveying what community immunity is and how it works. Second, by involving multiple users in an iterative design process, it is possible to create a short and simple visualization that clearly conveys a complex topic. Finally, evaluating users' emotional responses during the design process, in addition to their cognitive responses, offers insights that help inform the final design of an intervention. CONCLUSIONS Visualization with personalized avatars may help people understand their individual roles in population health. Our app showed promise as a method of communicating the relationship between individual behavior and community health. The next steps will include assessing the effects of the application on risk perception, knowledge, and vaccination intentions in a randomized controlled trial. This study offers a potential road map for designing health communication materials for complex topics such as community immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Hakim
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Julie A Bettinger
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christine T Chambers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - S Michelle Driedger
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Eve Dubé
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Teresa Gavaruzzi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy, Padova, Italy
| | - Anik M C Giguere
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Éric Kavanagh
- École de design, Édifice La Fabrique, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Leask
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Rita Orji
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Parent
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jacynthe Roberge
- École de design, Édifice La Fabrique, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, Eaton Building, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aaron M Scherer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United States
| | | | - Kumanan Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Bruyere Research Institute and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Reinharz
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Holly O Witteman
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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26
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Siciliani L, Wild C, McKee M, Kringos D, Barry MM, Barros PP, De Maeseneer J, Murauskiene L, Ricciardi W. Strengthening vaccination programmes and health systems in the European Union: A framework for action. Health Policy 2020; 124:511-518. [PMID: 32276852 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions. However, the EU is facing increasing outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases, with some fatal cases of measles. This paper reviews the main factors influencing vaccination uptake, and assesses measures expected to improve vaccination coverage. Obstacles to vaccination include concerns about vaccine safety and side effects, lack of trust, social norms, exposure to rumours and myths, and access barriers. Responses fall into three broad categories. Regulation, including the introduction of mandatory vaccination, can be justified but it is important to be sure that it is an appropriate solution to the existing problem and does not risk unintended consequences. Facilitation involves ensuring that there is an effective vaccination programme, comprehensive in nature, and reducing the many barriers, in terms of cost, distance, and time, to achieving high levels of uptake, especially for marginalised or vulnerable populations. Information is crucial, but whether in the form of public information campaigns or interactions between health workers and target populations, must be designed very carefully to avoid the risk of backfire. There is no universal solution to achieving high levels of vaccine uptake but rather a range or combinations of options. The choice of which to adopt in each country will depend on a detailed understanding of the problem, including which groups are most affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Siciliani
- Department of Economics and Related Studies, University of York, YO10 5DD, York, UK.
| | - Claudia Wild
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessment, Garnisongasse 7/20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Dionne Kringos
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Margaret M Barry
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Jan De Maeseneer
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liubove Murauskiene
- Public Health Division, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Walter Ricciardi
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
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27
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Nowak GJ, Evans NJ, Wojdynski BW, Ahn SJG, Len-Rios ME, Carera K, Hale S, McFalls D. Using immersive virtual reality to improve the beliefs and intentions of influenza vaccine avoidant 18-to-49-year-olds: Considerations, effects, and lessons learned. Vaccine 2019; 38:1225-1233. [PMID: 31806533 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Only one-third of adults 18-49 years old in the United States receive a recommended annual influenza vaccination. This study examined whether supplementing vaccine information statements (VIS) with an immersive virtual reality (VR), short video or electronic pamphlet story designed to convey the community immunity benefits of influenza vaccination would improve influenza vaccine avoidant participants' influenza-related perceptions as well as their influenza vaccination-related beliefs, confidence and intentions. METHOD A one-way between-subjects experimental design compared the effects of adding a supplemental education experience prior to VIS exposure with flu vaccine avoidant 18-to-49-year-olds. The 171 participants recruited from the community were randomly assigned to one of three modality treatment conditions [VR, video, or e-pamphlet (i.e., story board presented via electronic tablet)] or a VIS-only control condition. RESULTS Compared to the modalities, the VR intervention created a stronger perception of presence (i.e., feeling of "being there" in the story), which, in turn, increased participants' concern about transmitting influenza to others and raised vaccination intention. Increased concern about transmitting influenza to others was associated with positive effects on influenza vaccination-related beliefs, including confidence that one's flu vaccination would protect others. Neither the e-pamphlet nor the video intervention were able to elicit a sense of presence nor were they able to improve the impact of the VIS on the outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS Immersive VR has much potential to increase understanding of key immunization concepts, such as community immunity, through creative executions that increase a sense of presence. Given the need to increase influenza vaccination uptake among 18-to-49-year-olds, and the projected growth in VR accessibility and use, additional applications and assessments related to vaccination communication and education are needed and warranted. By increasing the ability to convey key vaccine and immunization concepts, immersive VR could help address vaccination hesitancy and acceptance challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen J Nowak
- Center for Health and Risk Communications and Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - Nathaniel J Evans
- Center for Health and Risk Communications and Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Bartosz W Wojdynski
- Center for Health and Risk Communications and Department of Journalism, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Sun Joo Grace Ahn
- Center for Health and Risk Communications and Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Maria E Len-Rios
- Center for Health and Risk Communications and Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Karen Carera
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 100 Orau Way, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
| | - Scott Hale
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 100 Orau Way, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
| | - Deborah McFalls
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 100 Orau Way, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
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