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Grosso FM, Baldassarre ME, Grosso R, Di Mauro F, Greco C, Greco S, Laforgia N, Di Mauro A. Do social media interventions increase vaccine uptake? Front Public Health 2023; 11:1077953. [PMID: 37457259 PMCID: PMC10340521 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1077953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Italian mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign has included children aged 5-11 years as part of the target population since December 2021. One of the biggest challenges to vaccine uptake was vaccine hesitancy among parents and children's caregivers. Primary care pediatricians (PCPs), as the first point of contact between the National Health Service (NHS) and parents/caretakers, initiated various communication strategies to tackle this hesitancy. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a PCP-led social media intervention and a digital reminder service (DRS) on parental hesitancy regarding vaccinating their 5-11-year-old children against COVID-19. Methods A prospective cohort study was designed, and the chosen target populations were parents and caretakers of children aged 5-11 years. Two PCP cohorts were recruited. The first group received a social media intervention and a DRS; while the second group did not. Both cohorts had access to traditional face-to-face and telephone-based counseling. The vaccination coverage rate in the two groups was evaluated. Results A total of 600 children were enrolled. The exposed cohort (277 patients) received social media intervention, DRS, and counseling options (face-to-face and telephone-based), whereas the non-exposed cohort (323 patients) received only counseling options. In total, 89 patients from the exposed cohort did not receive any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (32.5%), 165 were fully immunized (59.5%), and 23 received only one dose (8.5%). A total of 150 non-exposed patients did not receive any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (47%), 147 were fully immunized (45.5%), and 24 only received one dose (7.4%). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (chi square = 11.5016; p = 0.0006). Conclusion Social media and DRS interventions had a positive impact on vaccine uptake and may be helpful in tackling vaccine hesitancy. Better-designed studies are needed to corroborate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Maria Grosso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elisabetta Baldassarre
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Grosso
- Pediatric Primary Care, National Pediatric Health Care System, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Di Mauro
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Greco
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Hygiene and Preventive Medicine (Public Health), Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Greco
- Department of Pediatrics, Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Nicola Laforgia
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Mauro
- Pediatric Primary Care, National Pediatric Health Care System, Margherita di Savoia, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Italy
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Ferrara M, Bertozzi G, Volonnino G, Di Fazio A, Di Fazio N, Arcangeli M, La Russa R, Frati P. Learning from the Past to Improve the Future—Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants in the Italian Population: A Systematic Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030630. [PMID: 36992216 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
WHO identifies vaccine hesitancy (VH) as one of the ten threats to global health. The authors bring to the international scientific community an Italian episode that offers the opportunity to renew the discussion on the extent of the VH matter. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the factors determining vaccine hesitancy in the Italian population, to understand its roots, and suggest potential strategies to mitigate it. A systematic review of the literature according to the PRISMA guidelines was carried out using the SCOPUS and Medline (via PubMed) databases, using the following strategy: (COVID-19 vaccines) AND (vaccination hesitancy) AND (Italy). After the selection process, 36 articles were included in this systematic review. The most frequently detected factors associated with VH in the Italian population can be grouped as vaccine-related factors, socio-cultural factors, and demographic factors. Currently, we are facing a gap between the population and science, governments, and institutions. To heal this breach, it is necessary to strengthen the trust of the population through the implementation of health communication and public education strategies, while scientific literacy must continue to support families and individuals in discerning evidence from opinions to recognize the real risks and balance them with the benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Ferrara
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bertozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Volonnino
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Di Fazio
- Regional Complex Intercompany Institute of Legal Medicine, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Fazio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Arcangeli
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environment Science, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Paola Frati
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Lu R, Zhao S, Wang X, Zhou J, Ou W, Jiang Y, Wen J, Hu L. Insights Into the Relationships Between Health Communication and Doctor-patient Relationship: A Scientometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace and Validation of Questionnaires. INQUIRY : A JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION AND FINANCING 2023; 60:469580231152071. [PMID: 36748743 PMCID: PMC9909062 DOI: 10.1177/00469580231152071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to understand the research status of the relationship between health communication and doctor-patient relationship, and to explore a new path of the impact of health communication on doctor-patient relationship, this paper adopted qualitative methods to quantize the literature over the past 10 years in the Web of Science database and carried out Co-Authorship Analysis, Co-Citation Analysis and Co-Occurrence Analysis based on CiteSpace. In addition, according to the results of bibliometric research, self-designed questionnaires were used to verify the result. A convenience sampling survey was conducted through the online "Questionnaire Star" platform (https://www.wjx.cn) on May 8, 2022, and a total of 254 questionnaires were collected. Interviewees were asked to use social software to acquire health knowledge. Participants come from 21 provinces, 4 municipalities, and 4 autonomous regions across the country, which is geographically representative. The results show that uncertainty of social media information and the particularity of the epidemic make the research on health communication and doctor-patient relationship in social media become a new hot spot. Social media health information quality (source credibility and content trust perception), information asymmetry perception, doctor-patient communication, doctor-patient consistency, doctor-patient trust, doctor-patient relationship may be the key variables for constructing theoretical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Lu
- Changzhou Third People’s Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China,Business School, ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal,School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Shenyu Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Changzhou Third People’s Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Reproduction, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Reproduction, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiyan Ou
- Business School, ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal,School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongyi Jiang
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Wen
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Institute, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingmin Hu
- Department of Reproduction, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China,Lingmin Hu, Department of Reproduction, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, N0.16 Dingxiang Road, Zhonglou District, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Bitto Urbanova L, Madarasova Geckova A, Dankulincova Veselska Z, Capikova S, Holubcikova J, van Dijk JP, Reijneveld SA. Technology supports me: Perceptions of the benefits of digital technology in adolescents. Front Psychol 2023; 13:970395. [PMID: 36798642 PMCID: PMC9926968 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.970395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Technology plays a significant role in the lives of adolescents. Our knowledge is predominantly based on research exploring the risks associated with it, but adolescents also feel that technology supports their lives. This has received less consideration. Therefore, we aim to examine how adolescents perceive the benefits of digital technology. Methods We used qualitative data collected as part of the international Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study. We conducted online, semi-structured interviews with 15 Slovak adolescents who came from three different types of secondary schools based on their graduation systems (mean age: 15.33; 20% boys). The data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research and thematic analysis. Results We identified five main themes based on the comments of adolescents: 1. I know (source of information, formal and non-formal education); 2. I can (smart device, helpful tool); 3. I am connected/included (social interactions); 4. I have my comfortable place (leisure time, creating my alternative world); and 5. I work on my future (self-development). Conclusion Adolescents perceived digital technology as mostly supportive and a helpful tool in their lives. The potential benefits of digital technology should be better reflected in public perception and policy, as the societal debate is mostly dominated by perceived disadvantages and risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bitto Urbanova
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Laura Bitto Urbanova,
| | - Andrea Madarasova Geckova
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands,Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Dankulincova Veselska
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Silvia Capikova
- Institute of Social Medicine and Medical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Holubcikova
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jitse P. van Dijk
- Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Sijmen A. Reijneveld
- Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia,Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Caffarelli C, Santamaria F, Piro E, Basilicata S, Delle Cave V, Cipullo M, Bernasconi S, Corsello G. New insights in pediatrics in 2021: choices in allergy and immunology, critical care, endocrinology, gastroenterology, genetics, haematology, infectious diseases, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, palliative care, respiratory tract illnesses and telemedicine. Ital J Pediatr 2022; 48:189. [PMID: 36435791 PMCID: PMC9701393 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01374-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we report the developments across pediatric subspecialties that have been published in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics in 2021. We highlight advances in allergy and immunology, critical care, endocrinology, gastroenterology, genetics, hematology, infectious diseases, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, palliative care, respiratory tract illnesses and telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Caffarelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinica Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, Italy.
| | - Francesca Santamaria
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Piro
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Basilicata
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Delle Cave
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Marilena Cipullo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Corsello
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Di Mauro A, Di Mauro F, De Nitto S, Rizzo L, Greco C, Stefanizzi P, Tafuri S, Baldassarre ME, Laforgia N. Social Media Interventions Strengthened COVID-19 Immunization Campaign. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:869893. [PMID: 35450111 PMCID: PMC9016190 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.869893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since The Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) has recommended the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty in children aged 5-11, the immunization campaign faced vaccine hesitancy in parents. Social media are emerging as leading information source that could play a significant role to counteract vaccine hesitancy, influencing parents' opinions and perceptions. Our aim was to evaluate the coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty in a cohort of children aged 5-11 whose families have been counseled to use Social Media to counteract vaccine hesitancy. METHODS All parents of children aged 5-11 in a primary care setting were instructed by their pediatrician to get accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine from a Facebook page. Active calls to vaccinate children were also scheduled through messaging services Pediatotem and Whatsapp. Vaccination rates of children in the study were assessed with an electronic database and compared to both regional and national child vaccination rates. RESULTS Coverage of 277 children aged 5-11 was analyzed from 16 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. A total of 62.4% (173/277) of enrolled children received the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty and 39.7% (110/277) the 2nd dose. Coverage rates were higher compared both to the regional population (1st dose: 48.8%, 2nd dose: 24.6%; p = 0.001) and national population (1st dose: 32.1%, 2nd dose: 13.8%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Increasing vaccine confidence using Social Media interventions have a positive impact on vaccination acceptance of parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Di Mauro
- Pediatric Primary Care, National Pediatric Health Care System, Margherita di Savoia (BAT), Italy
| | - Federica Di Mauro
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sara De Nitto
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Rizzo
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Greco
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Laforgia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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7
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Dang Q, Luo Z, Ouyang C, Wang L. First Systematic Review on Health Communication Using the CiteSpace Software in China: Exploring Its Research Hotspots and Frontiers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:13008. [PMID: 34948617 PMCID: PMC8702194 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1970s, health communication (HC) has attracted widespread attention from practitioners and researchers in various fields in China, leading to the production of a vast array of literature. In order to reveal the current state, popular themes, and research frontiers of HC research, this study employed the CiteSpace software to conduct a comprehensive review based on 1505 HC publications from 1992 to 2021 retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. The results demonstrated that (1) the number of HC publications has experienced an annual increase over the past 20 years, albeit with certain inverted S-shaped fluctuations and (2) the most prolific authors mainly included Wang L.Y., Zhang Z.L., and Wang Y.L., while well-known universities played a leading role in HC research in China. A significant finding was that a stable core group of authors or institutional has been not formed in the HC field. Furthermore, (3) research hotspots included health education, new media, health literacy, health information, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine (AHVM), the doctor-patient relationship, and public health emergencies. Additionally, the development of the field could be divided into four stages, indicating a significant shift in HC research from focusing on medicine and public health issues towards communication issues. Finally, (4) new research frontiers have mainly included the WeChat official account and Health China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Dang
- Climate and Health Communication Research Center, School of Journalism and Communication, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Z.L.); (C.O.); (L.W.)
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Fazel M, Puntis S, White SR, Townsend A, Mansfield KL, Viner R, Herring J, Pollard AJ, Freeman D. Willingness of children and adolescents to have a COVID-19 vaccination: Results of a large whole schools survey in England. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 40:101144. [PMID: 34608453 PMCID: PMC8482530 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy has affected COVID-19 adult vaccination programs in many countries. Data on hesitancy amongst child and adolescent populations is largely confined to parent opinion. We investigated the characteristics of vaccine hesitant children and adolescents using results from a large, school-based self-report survey of the willingness to have a COVID-19 vaccination in students aged 9 -18 years in England. METHODS Data from the OxWell Student Survey on mental health, life experiences and behaviours were used, collected from four counties across England. Local authority partners recruited schools. The vaccine hesitancy question gave six response options and were clustered to inform delivery: eager and willing were categorised as vaccination 'opt-in', don't know and not bothered categorised as 'undecided', and unwilling and anti-vaccination categorised as 'opt-out'. We conducted a multinomial regression to determine associations between vaccine hesitancy and sociodemographic, health behaviour and social connection variables. FINDINGS 27,910 students from 180 schools answered the vaccine hesitancy question between 14th May and 21st July 2021, of whom 13984 (50.1%) would opt-in to take a vaccination, 10322 (37.0%) were undecided, and 3604 (12.9%) would opt-out. A lower percentage of younger students reported that they would opt-in to vaccination, for example, 35.7% of 9-year-olds and 51.3% of 13-year-olds compared to 77.8% of 17-year-olds would opt-in to take a vaccination. Students who were 'opt-out' or 'undecided' (a combined 'vaccine hesitant' group) were more likely to come from deprived socioeconomic contexts with higher rates of home rental versus home ownership and their school locations were more likely to be in areas of greater deprivation. They were more likely to smoke or vape, spend longer on social media, feel that they did not belong in their school community but had lower levels of anxiety and depression. The vaccine hesitant students- the undecided and opt-out groups- were similar in profile, although the opt-out students had higher reported confirmed or probable previous COVID-19 infection than the opt-in group, whereas those undecided, did not. INTERPRETATION If government vaccination strategies move towards vaccinating younger school-aged students, efforts to increase vaccination uptake may be necessary. Compared with students who would opt-in, those who were vaccine hesitant had greater indicators of social deprivation and felt a lack of community cohesion by not feeling a sense of belonging at their school. There were indications that those students who would opt-out had higher levels of marginalisation and mistrust. If programmes are rolled out, focus on hesitant younger students will be important, targeting more marginalised and deprived young people with information from trusted sources utilising social media; improving access to vaccination centres with provision both in and outside school; and addressing fears and worries about the effects of the vaccine. The main limitation of this study is that the participant group may not be wholly representative of England or the UK, which may bias population-level estimates of willingness to be vaccinated. FUNDING The Westminster Foundation, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Oxford and Thames Valley at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Lane, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
- Oxford Centre for Psychological Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHSFT, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen Puntis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Lane, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Simon R. White
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Alice Townsend
- Sunderland and South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, Tyne and Wear, UK
| | - Karen L. Mansfield
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Lane, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Russell Viner
- UCL Great Ormond St. Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | - Andrew J. Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, UK
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniel Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Lane, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Di Mauro A, Di Mauro F, Greco C, Giannico OV, Grosso FM, Baldassarre ME, Capozza M, Schettini F, Stefanizzi P, Laforgia N. In-hospital and web-based intervention to counteract vaccine hesitancy in very preterm infants' families: a NICU experience. Ital J Pediatr 2021; 47:190. [PMID: 34530874 PMCID: PMC8447703 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-021-01129-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy is a global problem, carrying significant health risks for extremely vulnerable population as that of preterm infants. Social media are emerging as significant tools for public health promotion. Our aim was to evaluate both the coverage and the timeliness of routine immunizations in a cohort of preterm infants (< 33 weeks of gestational age) at 24 months of age whose families have been subjected to in-hospital and web-based interventions to counteract vaccine hesitancy. METHODS For a period of 2 years parents of preterm infants were instructed during their follow up visits by a member of the NICU team to get correct informations about vaccines from a social network page. Vaccination rates of preterm infants were assessed at 24 months of chronological age with an electronic database and compared to both general population and historical cohort. RESULTS Coverage and timeliness of vaccinations at 24 months of age of 170 preterm infants were analyzed in December 2019. Gestational age and birth weight median (IQR) were, respectively, 31.0 (5.0) weeks and 1475.0 (843.8) g. Coverage rates were similar to those of the regional population (p > 0.05), while timeliness of administration was significantly delayed compared to the recommended schedule (p < 0.001). Age of administration was not correlated with either body weight and gestational age at birth (Spearman rank, p > 0.05). DTaP-IPV-HBV-Hib 2nd and 3rd doses, MMR and Varicella vaccines coverage data were higher compared to historical cohort (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Increasing vaccine confidence through web-based interventions could have a positive impact on vaccination acceptance of parents of preterm infants, although timeliness results still delayed. There is a strong need to develop different and effective vaccination strategies to protect this very vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Di Mauro
- Pediatric Primary Care, National Pediatric Health Care System, Via Conversa 12, Margherita di Savoia, BAT, Italy.
| | - Federica Di Mauro
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Greco
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Maria Grosso
- Postgraduate School of Public Health, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elisabetta Baldassarre
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Capozza
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Schettini
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Laforgia
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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