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CALABRÒ GIOVANNAELISA, ICARDI GIANCARLO, BONANNI PAOLO, GABUTTI GIOVANNI, VITALE FRANCESCO, RIZZO CATERINA, CICCHETTI AMERICO, STAIANO ANNAMARIA, ANSALDI FILIPPO, ORSI ANDREA, DE WAURE CHIARA, PANATTO DONATELLA, AMICIZIA DANIELA, BERT FABRIZIO, VILLANI ALBERTO, IERACI ROBERTO, CONVERSANO MICHELE, RUSSO CARMELA, RUMI FILIPPO, SCOTTI SILVESTRO, MAIO TOMMASA, RUSSO ROCCO, VACCARO CONCETTAMARIA, SILIQUINI ROBERTA, RICCIARDI WALTER. [Flu vaccination and value-based health care: operational solutions to safeguard public health]. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2022; 63:E1-E85. [PMID: 36310765 PMCID: PMC9586154 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2s2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- GIOVANNA ELISA CALABRÒ
- Sezione di Igiene, Dipartimento Universitario di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma
- VIHTALI - Value In Health Technology and Academy for Leadership & Innovation, Spin-Off dell'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma
| | - GIANCARLO ICARDI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
- U.O. Igiene, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - PAOLO BONANNI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DSS), Università di Firenze
| | - GIOVANNI GABUTTI
- Coordinatore Nazionale GdL Vaccini e Politiche Vaccinali della SItI
| | - FRANCESCO VITALE
- Dipartimento Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”, Università degli Studi di Palermo
| | - CATERINA RIZZO
- Dipartimento di ricerca traslazionale e nuove tecnologie in medicina e chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Pisa
| | - AMERICO CICCHETTI
- Alta Scuola di Economia e Management dei Sistemi Sanitari (ALTEMS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma
| | - ANNAMARIA STAIANO
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università degli Studi “Federico II”, Napoli
- Presidente Società Italiana di Pediatria (SIP)
| | - FILIPPO ANSALDI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
- A.Li.Sa. Azienda Ligure Sanitaria Regione Liguria
| | - ANDREA ORSI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
- U.O. Igiene, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - CHIARA DE WAURE
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Perugia
| | - DONATELLA PANATTO
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - DANIELA AMICIZIA
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
- A.Li.Sa. Azienda Ligure Sanitaria Regione Liguria
| | - FABRIZIO BERT
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanità Pubblica e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Torino
- SSDU Igiene Ospedaliera e Governo delle Infezioni Correlate all’Assistenza, ASL TO3
| | - ALBERTO VILLANI
- Dipartimento Emergenza Accettazione Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Roma
- Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Università di Roma Tor Vergata
| | - ROBERTO IERACI
- Strategie vaccinali, Regione Lazio
- Ricercatore associato CID Ethics-CNR
| | | | - CARMELA RUSSO
- U.O.S.V.D. Epidemiologia - Comunicazione e Formazione Coordinamento delle Attività di Promozione della Salute e di Educazione Sanitaria, ASL Taranto
| | - FILIPPO RUMI
- Alta Scuola di Economia e Management dei Sistemi Sanitari (ALTEMS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma
| | | | - TOMMASA MAIO
- Federazione Italiana Medici di Medicina Generale (FIMMG)
| | - ROCCO RUSSO
- Coordinatore tavolo tecnico vaccinazioni, Società Italiana di Pediatria (SIP)
| | | | - ROBERTA SILIQUINI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanità Pubblica e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Torino
- AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
| | - WALTER RICCIARDI
- Sezione di Igiene, Dipartimento Universitario di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma
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Ouyang W, Xie W, Xin Z, He H, Wen T, Peng X, Dai P, Yuan Y, Liu F, Chen Y, Luo A. Evolutionary Overview of Consumer Health Informatics: Bibliometric Study on the Web of Science from 1999 to 2019. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e21974. [PMID: 34499042 PMCID: PMC8461533 DOI: 10.2196/21974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consumer health informatics (CHI) originated in the 1990s. With the rapid development of computer and information technology for health decision making, an increasing number of consumers have obtained health-related information through the internet, and CHI has also attracted the attention of an increasing number of scholars. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze the research themes and evolution characteristics of different study periods and to discuss the dynamic evolution path and research theme rules in a time-series framework from the perspective of a strategy map and a data flow in CHI. METHODS The Web of Science core collection database of the Institute for Scientific Information was used as the data source to retrieve relevant articles in the field of CHI. SciMAT was used to preprocess the literature data and construct the overlapping map, evolution map, strategic diagram, and cluster network characterized by keywords. Besides, a bibliometric analysis of the general characteristics, the evolutionary characteristics of the theme, and the evolutionary path of the theme was conducted. RESULTS A total of 986 articles were obtained after the retrieval, and 931 articles met the document-type requirement. In the past 21 years, the number of articles increased every year, with a remarkable growth after 2015. The research content in 4 different study periods formed the following 38 themes: patient education, medicine, needs, and bibliographic database in the 1999-2003 study period; world wide web, patient education, eHealth, patients, medication, terminology, behavior, technology, and disease in the 2004-2008 study period; websites, information seeking, physicians, attitudes, technology, risk, food labeling, patient, strategies, patient education, and eHealth in the 2009-2014 study period; and electronic medical records, health information seeking, attitudes, health communication, breast cancer, health literacy, technology, natural language processing, user-centered design, pharmacy, academic libraries, costs, internet utilization, and online health information in the 2015-2019 study period. Besides, these themes formed 10 evolution paths in 3 research directions: patient education and intervention, consumer demand attitude and behavior, and internet information technology application. CONCLUSIONS Averaging 93 publications every year since 2015, CHI research is in a rapid growth period. The research themes mainly focus on patient education, health information needs, health information search behavior, health behavior intervention, health literacy, health information technology, eHealth, and other aspects. Patient education and intervention research, consumer demand, attitude, and behavior research comprise the main theme evolution path, whose evolution process has been relatively stable. This evolution path will continue to become the research hotspot in this field. Research on the internet and information technology application is a secondary theme evolution path with development potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ouyang
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Wenzhao Xie
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Zirui Xin
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Haiyan He
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Tingxiao Wen
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoqing Peng
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Pingping Dai
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yifeng Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Liu
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Chen
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Aijing Luo
- The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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BOCCALINI SARA, PANATTO DONATELLA, MENNINI FRANCESCOSAVERIO, MARCELLUSI ANDREA, BINI CHIARA, AMICIZIA DANIELA, LAI PIEROLUIGI, MICALE ROSANNATINDARA, FRUMENTO DAVIDE, AZZARI CHIARA, RICCI SILVIA, BONITO BENEDETTA, DI PISA GIULIA, IOVINE MARIASILVIA, LODI LORENZO, GIOVANNINI MATTIA, MOSCADELLI ANDREA, PAOLI SONIA, PENNATI BEATRICEMARINA, PISANO LAURA, BECHINI ANGELA, BONANNI PAOLO. [ Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of the introduction of additional cohorts for anti-meningococcal vaccination with quadrivalent conjugate vaccines in Italy]. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2021; 62:E1-E128. [PMID: 34622076 PMCID: PMC8452280 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.1s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- SARA BOCCALINI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
- Autore corrispondente: Sara Boccalini, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italia - Tel.: 055-2751084 E-mail:
| | - DONATELLA PANATTO
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - FRANCESCO SAVERIO MENNINI
- Economic Evaluation and HTA - CEIS (EEHTA - CEIS), Facoltà di Economia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"
- Institute for Leadership and Management in Health, Kingston University, London, UK
| | - ANDREA MARCELLUSI
- Economic Evaluation and HTA - CEIS (EEHTA - CEIS), Facoltà di Economia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"
| | - CHIARA BINI
- Economic Evaluation and HTA - CEIS (EEHTA - CEIS), Facoltà di Economia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"
| | - DANIELA AMICIZIA
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - PIERO LUIGI LAI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | | | - DAVIDE FRUMENTO
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - CHIARA AZZARI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - SILVIA RICCI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - BENEDETTA BONITO
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - GIULIA DI PISA
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | | | - LORENZO LODI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - MATTIA GIOVANNINI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - ANDREA MOSCADELLI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - SONIA PAOLI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | | | - LAURA PISANO
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - ANGELA BECHINI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - PAOLO BONANNI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
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Domnich A, Cambiaggi M, Vasco A, Maraniello L, Ansaldi F, Baldo V, Bonanni P, Calabrò GE, Costantino C, de Waure C, Gabutti G, Restivo V, Rizzo C, Vitale F, Grassi R. Attitudes and Beliefs on Influenza Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Representative Italian Survey. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E711. [PMID: 33266212 PMCID: PMC7712959 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The last 2019/20 northern hemisphere influenza season overlapped with the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Italy was the first western country where severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread to a significant extent. In this representative cross-sectional survey, we aimed to describe some opinions and attitudes of the Italian general population towards both influenza vaccination and the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify potential modifiers of the decision-making process regarding the uptake of the 2020/21 influenza vaccine. A total of 2543 responses were analyzed. Although most (74.8%) participants valued influenza vaccination positively and declared that it should be mandatory, some misconceptions around influenza persist. The general practitioner was the main source of trusted information on influenza vaccines, while social networks were judged to be the least reliable. Younger and less affluent individuals, subjects not vaccinated in the previous season, and those living in smaller communities showed lower odds of receiving the 2020/21 season influenza vaccination. However, the COVID-19 pandemic may have positively influenced the propensity of being vaccinated against 2020/21 seasonal influenza. In order to increase influenza vaccination coverage rates multidisciplinary targeted interventions are needed. The role of general practitioners remains crucial in increasing influenza vaccine awareness and acceptance by effective counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Filippo Ansaldi
- Azienda Ligure Sanitaria, 16121 Genoa, Italy;
- Planning and Prevention Unit, IRCCS San Martino Hospital, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Baldo
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Public Health Section, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Elisa Calabrò
- Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- VIHTALI (Value in Health Technology and Academy for Leadership & Innovation), Spin-Off of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Costantino
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (C.C.); (V.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Chiara de Waure
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Gabutti
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Restivo
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (C.C.); (V.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Caterina Rizzo
- Predictive and Preventive Medicine Research Unit, Multifactorial and Complex Disease Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (C.C.); (V.R.); (F.V.)
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Why the Anti-Meningococcal B Vaccination during Adolescence Should Be Implemented in Italy: An Overview of Available Evidence. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111681. [PMID: 33138142 PMCID: PMC7692044 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although meningococcal disease has a low incidence in Italy, it is a public health concern owing to its high lethality rate and high frequency of transitory and/or permanent sequelae among survivors. The highest incidence rates are recorded in infants, children and adolescents, and most of the cases are due to Neisseria meningitidis B. In Italy, anti-meningococcal B (anti-MenB) vaccination is free for infants but, despite the considerable disease burden in adolescents, no national recommendation to vaccinate in this age-group is currently available. The aim of this study was to assess the main available scientific evidence to support the Italian health authorities in implementing a program of free anti-MenB vaccination for adolescents. We conducted an overview of the scientific literature on epidemiology, disease burden, immunogenicity and safety of available vaccines, and economic evaluations of vaccination strategies. Each case of invasive meningococcal disease generates a considerable health burden (lethality rate: 9%; up to 60% of patients experience at least one sequela) in terms of impaired quality of life for survivors and high direct and indirect costs (the mean overall cost of acute phase for a single case amounts to about EUR 13,952; the costs for post-acute and the long-term phases may vary widely depending of the type of sequela, reaching an annual cost of about EUR 100,000 in cases of severe neurological damage). Furthermore, vaccination against meningococcus B in adolescence proved cost-effective. The study highlights the need to actively offer the anti-MenB vaccination during adolescence at a national level. This would make it possible to avoid premature deaths and reduce the high costs borne by the National Health Service and by society of supporting survivors who suffer temporary and/or permanent sequelae.
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Kim Y, Song D, Lee YJ. #Antivaccination on Instagram: A Computational Analysis of Hashtag Activism through Photos and Public Responses. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17207550. [PMID: 33080782 PMCID: PMC7589874 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
A dramatic increase has been registered in the number of social media posts in photo form as well as in hashtag activism. Hashtags, which manifest thoughts and feelings clearly and concisely, originated on Twitter, where the length of a post is limited; their use, however, has expanded into other social media services, including Instagram. Hashtags, which make it easy to find and express support for posts of interest, have been widely used for online activism, although they have been criticized for fostering confirmation bias. Moreover, hashtag activism in photo form has been relatively understudied. This research analyzed Instagram photos with antivaccination hashtags as an example of hashtag activism through photos. In addition, we examined how the photo features were related to public response, which was manifested via engagement and comment sentiment. The results suggest that the photos which were categorized into “text” took the largest share. It was also found that the major way of claiming was to imprint key messages that persuade people not to vaccinate with remarks from professionals on photos and provide a source of supporting information in the post text with hashtags of antivaccine intention. Various photo features showed associations with engagement and comment sentiment, but the directions of correlation were usually the opposite: these results suggest that engagement and comment sentiment are separate domains that reveal different public responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhwan Kim
- Division of Media Communication, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul 02450, Korea;
| | - Donghwi Song
- Business School, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul 02450, Korea;
| | - Yeon Ju Lee
- Division of Applied Mathematical Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 30019, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-44-860-1311
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Zanella B, Boccalini S, Bonito B, Del Riccio M, Manzi F, Tiscione E, Bonanni P, Bechini A. Rubella Seroprevalence Boost in the Pediatric and Adolescent Population of Florence (Italy) as a Preventive Strategy for Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E599. [PMID: 33053851 PMCID: PMC7712445 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the availability of an effective vaccine since the 1970s, rubella disease and, importantly, congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) remain a public health concern. The aim of this study was to analyze the rubella seroprevalence in the children population of the province of Florence and compare the obtained results to a previous survey conducted in 2005-2006. METHODS A qualitative measurement of anti-rubella antibodies was performed on 165 sera using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The anamnestic and vaccination status was also collected. RESULTS Our study highlighted a very high rubella seroprevalence (85-100%) in our enrolled population. In the vaccinated group (153/165), 98.7% of them were positive to rubella antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed the highest seroprevalence rate reached in the province of Florence for rubella in the last 15 years, thanks to the several successful vaccination campaigns promoted in the Tuscany region. Our findings in pediatric and adolescent subjects are a key factor in preventing CRS in adult life, specifically in childbearing women. Thus, the set goal will be to keep the awareness about the vaccination for this preventable disease high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Zanella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.Z.); (S.B.); (B.B); (E.T.); (P.B.)
| | - Sara Boccalini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.Z.); (S.B.); (B.B); (E.T.); (P.B.)
| | - Benedetta Bonito
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.Z.); (S.B.); (B.B); (E.T.); (P.B.)
| | - Marco Del Riccio
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.D.R.); (F.M.); (W.D.G.)
| | - Federico Manzi
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.D.R.); (F.M.); (W.D.G.)
| | - Emilia Tiscione
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.Z.); (S.B.); (B.B); (E.T.); (P.B.)
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.Z.); (S.B.); (B.B); (E.T.); (P.B.)
| | - Working Group DHS
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.D.R.); (F.M.); (W.D.G.)
| | | | | | - Angela Bechini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.Z.); (S.B.); (B.B); (E.T.); (P.B.)
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Balzarini F, Frascella B, Oradini-Alacreu A, Gaetti G, Lopalco PL, Edelstein M, Azzopardi-Muscat N, Signorelli C, Odone A. Does the use of personal electronic health records increase vaccine uptake? A systematic review. Vaccine 2020; 38:5966-5978. [PMID: 32620374 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Personal Electronic Health Records (PEHR) have been identified as innovative tools enabling the provision of patient-centered care and prevention, evidence on the impact of their use is scant. With PEHRs being more and more marketed as easily implementable and cost-effective instruments to provide people with direct control on their health, the question on whether their use might be associated with the priority to improve vaccine coverage arises. METHODS We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines to retrieve, quantitatively pool and critically appraise the effectiveness of PEHR access on vaccine uptake. Analysis on PEHR effectiveness were carried out for the following comparison strata: i) PEHR access vs no intervention (standard care, no access to PEHR), ii) PEHR access only vs access to PEHR with additional features (e.g. health education materials, active reminders). RESULTS Of 3114 identified citations, 8 studies were included, the majority published in the US and before 2015; 62% were randomized trials, the rest having an observational study design. Evidence suggests a moderate positive impact of PEHR access in increasing vaccine uptake, with data available for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, diabetic patients and childhood immunization. Pooled data report the addition of digital communication features, i.e. the delivery of educational messages, reminders and availability of scheduling features might increase vaccine uptake, as compared to PEHR access alone. However, evidence is not conclusive. CONCLUSION While immunization programs are struggling to achieve optimal coverage targets, it seems the potential of PEHRSs supporting informed adherence to vaccines recommendations is neither fully exploited nor explored. Which factors mediate the association between PEHRs access and vaccine uptake? Which PEHRs' design and functional components can maximize their impact? On which target populations? Which PEHR models works better for high-risk populations? Our findings can only partially answer those questions and further experimental research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giovanni Gaetti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Lopalco
- Department of Translational Research, New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michael Edelstein
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK; European Public Health Association Section on Infectious Diseases Control
| | - Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat
- Director Country Health Policies and Systems World Health Organisation, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlo Signorelli
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Odone
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Clinical Epidemiology and HTA, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; European Public Health Association Section on Infectious Diseases Control.
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9
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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Propensity towards HPV Vaccine of Young Adult Students in Italy. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010074. [PMID: 32046039 PMCID: PMC7157590 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), representing the main cause of genital warts and cervical cancer. This cross-sectional study evaluated knowledge and attitudes about HPV infection, related diseases, and prevention and propensity towards HPV vaccine among undergraduate students. Methods: An online and written survey about HPV and its prevention, targeted to young adults of both genders, was addressed to students attending health sciences and other schools at Universities of Genoa and Bari. Results: The overall median knowledge and attitude scores were 56.3% (25–75 p = 40–68.8%) and four out of five (25–75 p = 4–5), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, attending a health sciences university, using social networks ≤2 h a day, a history of STI, having heard about HPV and HPV vaccine previously resulted as predictors of higher knowledge scores. Having heard about HPV previously also predicted a high attitude score, together with a perceived economic status as good. Having Italian and healthcare worker parents, being employed, and following a specific diet, instead, predicted lower attitude score. Conclusions: Poor knowledge and good attitudes were found among undergraduates about HPV. In order to increase HPV vaccine compliance and the counselling skills of future healthcare workers, the improvement of training on HPV is needed.
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Frascella B, Oradini-Alacreu A, Balzarini F, Signorelli C, Lopalco PL, Odone A. Effectiveness of email-based reminders to increase vaccine uptake: a systematic review. Vaccine 2020; 38:433-443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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11
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Boccalini S, Bechini A, Sartor G, Paolini D, Innocenti M, Bonanni P, Panatto D, Lai PL, Zangrillo F, Marchini F, Lecini E, Iovine M, Amicizia D, Landa P. [Health Technology Assessment of meningococcal B vaccine (Trumenba ®) in adolescent in Italy]. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2019; 60:E1-E94. [PMID: 32047867 PMCID: PMC7007189 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.3s2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Boccalini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - A Bechini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - G Sartor
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - D Paolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - M Innocenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - P Bonanni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - D Panatto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - P L Lai
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - F Zangrillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - F Marchini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - E Lecini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - M Iovine
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - D Amicizia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - P Landa
- Dipartimento di Economia, Università degli Studi di Genova
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12
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Bragazzi NL, Gianfredi V, Villarini M, Rosselli R, Nasr A, Hussein A, Martini M, Behzadifar M. Vaccines Meet Big Data: State-of-the-Art and Future Prospects. From the Classical 3Is ("Isolate-Inactivate-Inject") Vaccinology 1.0 to Vaccinology 3.0, Vaccinomics, and Beyond: A Historical Overview. Front Public Health 2018; 6:62. [PMID: 29556492 PMCID: PMC5845111 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are public health interventions aimed at preventing infections-related mortality, morbidity, and disability. While vaccines have been successfully designed for those infectious diseases preventable by preexisting neutralizing specific antibodies, for other communicable diseases, additional immunological mechanisms should be elicited to achieve a full protection. “New vaccines” are particularly urgent in the nowadays society, in which economic growth, globalization, and immigration are leading to the emergence/reemergence of old and new infectious agents at the animal–human interface. Conventional vaccinology (the so-called “vaccinology 1.0”) was officially born in 1796 thanks to the contribution of Edward Jenner. Entering the twenty-first century, vaccinology has shifted from a classical discipline in which serendipity and the Pasteurian principle of the three Is (isolate, inactivate, and inject) played a major role to a science, characterized by a rational design and plan (“vaccinology 3.0”). This shift has been possible thanks to Big Data, characterized by different dimensions, such as high volume, velocity, and variety of data. Big Data sources include new cutting-edge, high-throughput technologies, electronic registries, social media, and social networks, among others. The current mini-review aims at exploring the potential roles as well as pitfalls and challenges of Big Data in shaping the future vaccinology, moving toward a tailored and personalized vaccine design and administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), School of Public Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenza Gianfredi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Unit of Public Health, School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Milena Villarini
- Unit of Public Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Ahmed Nasr
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology University Milan Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Amr Hussein
- Medical Faculty, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Mariano Martini
- Section of History of Medicine and Ethics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Masoud Behzadifar
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Lazzeri G, Panatto D, Domnich A, Arata L, Pammolli A, Simi R, Giacchi MV, Amicizia D, Gasparini R. Clustering of health-related behaviors among early and mid-adolescents in Tuscany: results from a representative cross-sectional study. J Public Health (Oxf) 2018; 40:e25-e33. [PMID: 27908972 PMCID: PMC5896622 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdw134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A huge amount of literature suggests that adolescents' health-related behaviors tend to occur in clusters, and the understanding of such behavioral clustering may have direct implications for the effective tailoring of health-promotion interventions. Despite the usefulness of analyzing clustering, Italian data on this topic are scant. This study aimed to evaluate the clustering patterns of health-related behaviors. Methods The present study is based on data from the Health Behaviors in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in Tuscany in 2010, which involved 3291 11-, 13- and 15-year olds. To aggregate students' data on 22 health-related behaviors, factor analysis and subsequent cluster analysis were performed. Results Factor analysis revealed eight factors, which were dubbed in accordance with their main traits: 'Alcohol drinking', 'Smoking', 'Physical activity', 'Screen time', 'Signs & symptoms', 'Healthy eating', 'Violence' and 'Sweet tooth'. These factors explained 67% of variance and underwent cluster analysis. A six-cluster κ-means solution was established with a 93.8% level of classification validity. The between-cluster differences in both mean age and gender distribution were highly statistically significant. Conclusions Health-compromising behaviors are common among Tuscan teens and occur in distinct clusters. These results may be used by schools, health-promotion authorities and other stakeholders to design and implement tailored preventive interventions in Tuscany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Lazzeri
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, CREPS, University of Siena, 53100 Siena,Italy
| | - Donatella Panatto
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alexander Domnich
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Lucia Arata
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Pammolli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, CREPS, University of Siena, 53100 Siena,Italy
| | - Rita Simi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, CREPS, University of Siena, 53100 Siena,Italy
| | - Mariano Vincenzo Giacchi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, CREPS, University of Siena, 53100 Siena,Italy
| | - Daniela Amicizia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Gasparini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
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14
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Mahroum N, Watad A, Rosselli R, Brigo F, Chiesa V, Siri A, Ben-Ami Shor D, Martini M, Bragazzi NL, Adawi M. An infodemiological investigation of the so-called "Fluad effect" during the 2014/2015 influenza vaccination campaign in Italy: Ethical and historical implications. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 14:712-718. [PMID: 29293392 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1420448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza vaccines represent a major tool to contain the clinical and epidemiological burden generated by influenza. However, in spite of their effectiveness, vaccines are victims of prejudices and false myths, which contribute to the increasing phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy and loss of confidence. Media and, mainly, new media, and information and communication technologies play a major role in disseminating health-related information. While, on the one hand, they can be extremely promising in promoting disease prevention, on the other hand, they can also have a negative impact on population's health attitudes and behaviors when delivering information not based on scientific evidences. The "Fluad-case" is an excellent example of the crucial role of an adequate information campaign. Following the cluster of deaths allegedly related to the administration of the adjuvanted influenza vaccine "Fluad" during the 2014-2015 influenza campaign, the Italian health authorities and regulatory bodies decided the withdrawal of two potentially contaminated Fluad batches. This fostered a huge media coverage, with resulted in negatively impacting on influenza vaccination coverage. Monitoring and tracking the Fluad-related web searches, we showed that Liguria resulted the Italian region with the highest number of Fluad-related website searches and that, interestingly, Fluad was searched also in Regions in which this vaccine was not distributed. A positive moderate correlation between accessing Fluad-related websites and overall influenza vaccination coverage was found (r = 0.66 ([95%CI 0.29-0.86], p = 0.0026). Considering subjects ≥65 years, who are the subjects for which the Fluad vaccination is recommended, the correlation resulted r = 0.49 ([95%CI 0.03-0.78], p = 0.0397). As such, health authorities and decision-makers should promote high-quality communication campaigns in order to raise awareness of vaccination practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim Mahroum
- a Department of Medicine 'B' , Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Abdulla Watad
- a Department of Medicine 'B' , Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Roberto Rosselli
- b Local Health Unit 3 of Genoa (ASL3 Genovese), Hygiene and Public Health Unit , Genoa , Italy
| | - Francesco Brigo
- c Department of Neuroscience , Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona and Division of Neurology, "Franz Tappeiner" Hospital , Merano , Italy
| | - Valentina Chiesa
- d Department of Biomedical , Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Anna Siri
- e UNESCO CHAIR "Anthropology of Health - Biosphere and Healing System", University of Genoa, Genoa and Department of Mathematics (DIMA) , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Dana Ben-Ami Shor
- f Department of Gastroenterology , Sheba Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Mariano Martini
- e UNESCO CHAIR "Anthropology of Health - Biosphere and Healing System", University of Genoa, Genoa and Department of Mathematics (DIMA) , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.,g Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL) , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- e UNESCO CHAIR "Anthropology of Health - Biosphere and Healing System", University of Genoa, Genoa and Department of Mathematics (DIMA) , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.,g Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL) , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Mohammad Adawi
- h Padeh and Ziv hospitals, Bar-Ilan University, Faculty of Medicine , Zefat , Israel
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15
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Shapiro GK, Surian D, Dunn AG, Perry R, Kelaher M. Comparing human papillomavirus vaccine concerns on Twitter: a cross-sectional study of users in Australia, Canada and the UK. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e016869. [PMID: 28982821 PMCID: PMC5640044 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Opposition to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is common on social media and has the potential to impact vaccine coverage. This study aims to conduct an international comparison of the proportions of tweets about HPV vaccines that express concerns, the types of concerns expressed and the social connections among users posting about HPV vaccines in Australia, Canada and the UK. DESIGN Using a cross-sectional design, an international comparison of English language tweets about HPV vaccines and social connections among Twitter users posting about HPV vaccines between January 2014 and April 2016 was conducted. The Health Belief Model, one of the most widely used theories in health psychology, was used as the basis for coding the types of HPV vaccine concerns expressed on Twitter. SETTING The content of tweets and the social connections between users who posted tweets about HPV vaccines from Australia, Canada and the UK. POPULATION 16 789 Twitter users who posted 43 852 tweets about HPV vaccines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The proportions of tweets expressing concern, the type of concern expressed and the proportions of local and international social connections between users. RESULTS Tweets expressing concerns about HPV vaccines made up 14.9% of tweets in Canada, 19.4% in Australia and 22.6% in the UK. The types of concerns expressed were similar across the three countries, with concerns related to 'perceived barriers' being the most common. Users expressing concerns about HPV vaccines in each of the three countries had a relatively high proportion of international followers also expressing concerns. CONCLUSIONS The proportions and types of HPV vaccine concerns expressed on Twitter were similar across the three countries. Twitter users who mostly expressed concerns about HPV vaccines were better connected to international users who shared their concerns compared with users who did not express concerns about HPV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilla K Shapiro
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Didi Surian
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam G Dunn
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ryan Perry
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Kelaher
- Head Evaluation and Implementation Science, Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Watad A, Bragazzi NL, Brigo F, Sharif K, Amital H, McGonagle D, Shoenfeld Y, Adawi M. Readability of Wikipedia Pages on Autoimmune Disorders: Systematic Quantitative Assessment. J Med Internet Res 2017; 19:e260. [PMID: 28720555 PMCID: PMC5539385 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.8225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the era of new information and communication technologies, the Internet is being increasingly accessed for health-related information. Indeed, recently published patient surveys of people with autoimmune disorders confirmed that the Internet was reported as one of the most important health information sources. Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia launched in 2001, is generally one of the most visited websites worldwide and is often consulted for health-related information. Objective The main objective of this investigation was to quantitatively assess whether the Wikipedia pages related to autoimmune disorders can be easily accessed by patients and their families, in terms of readability. Methods We obtained and downloaded a list of autoimmune disorders from the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) website. We analyzed Wikipedia articles for their overall level of readability with 6 different quantitative readability scales: (1) the Flesch Reading Ease, (2) the Gunning Fog Index, (3) the Coleman-Liau Index, (4) the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, (5) the Automated Readability Index (ARI), and (6) the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG). Further, we investigated the correlation between readability and clinical, pathological, and epidemiological parameters. Moreover, each Wikipedia analysis was assessed according to its content, breaking down the readability indices by main topic of each part (namely, pathogenesis, treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis plus a section containing paragraphs not falling into any of the previous categories). Results We retrieved 134 diseases from the AARDA website. The Flesch Reading Ease yielded a mean score of 24.34 (SD 10.73), indicating that the sites were very difficult to read and best understood by university graduates, while mean Gunning Fog Index and ARI scores were 16.87 (SD 2.03) and 14.06 (SD 2.12), respectively. The Coleman-Liau Index and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level yielded mean scores of 14.48 (SD 1.57) and 14.86 (1.95), respectively, while the mean SMOG score was 15.38 (SD 1.37). All the readability indices confirmed that the sites were suitable for a university graduate reading level. We found no correlation between readability and clinical, pathological, and epidemiological parameters. Differences among the different sections of the Wikipedia pages were statistically significant. Conclusions Wikipedia pages related to autoimmune disorders are characterized by a low level of readability. The onus is, therefore, on physicians and health authorities to improve the health literacy skills of patients and their families and to create, together with patients themselves, disease-specific readable sites, disseminating highly accessible health-related online information, in terms of both clarity and conciseness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulla Watad
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Francesco Brigo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Kassem Sharif
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Howard Amital
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dennis McGonagle
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mohammad Adawi
- Bar-Ilan Faculty of Medicine, Padeh and Ziv Hospitals, Zefat, Israel
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Meleo-Erwin Z, Basch C, MacLean SA, Scheibner C, Cadorett V. "To each his own": Discussions of vaccine decision-making in top parenting blogs. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1895-1901. [PMID: 28481675 PMCID: PMC5557216 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1321182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although social media provides a way for people to congregate with like-minded others, it can also play a role in spreading misinformation about public health interventions. Previous research demonstrates that parents who use the Internet to gather information on vaccination are more likely to hold anti-vaccination beliefs. There has been little examination of vaccination decision-making discussions on parenting blogs. This study seeks to fill that gap. Posts and comments on the top 25 top parenting blogs were analyzed using a mixed-method approach. Comments were analyzed using deductive coding scheme that examined whether content areas of interest were present or absent in vaccination discussions. Posts were coded inductively using a thematic analysis. Posts and comments were further coded as strongly vaccine-discouraging, vaccine-ambivalent, or strongly vaccine-encouraging. Finally, posts were grouped by year of publication and comments were analyzed within each group to examine the evolution of vaccination decision-making discussions in the parenting blogosphere over the past decade. Fifty-two percent of posts were categorized as strongly vaccine-discouraging and were most commonly associated with expressions of individual liberty. Comments were nearly 3 times as likely to strongly discourage vaccination than to strongly encourage it. Comments on the oldest posts (2006–2009), were more likely to strongly discourage vaccination (p = 0.008), whereas comments on newer posts (2013–2015), were more likely to strongly encourage vaccination (p = 0.003). These findings suggest there is a need for public health professionals to understand the concerns being expressed in these forums, and develop innovative ways to dispel anti-vaccination myths, as these views may create obstacles in the meeting the goals of the public health agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Meleo-Erwin
- a Department of Public Health , William Paterson University , Wayne , NJ , USA
| | - Corey Basch
- b Department of Public Health , William Paterson University , Wayne , NJ , USA
| | - Sarah A MacLean
- c Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Courtney Scheibner
- d Bloustein Center for Survey Research , Rutgers University , New Brunswick , NJ , USA
| | - Valerie Cadorett
- e Department of Public Health , William Paterson University , Wayne , NJ , USA
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Seeber L, Conrad T, Hoppe C, Obermeier P, Chen X, Karsch K, Muehlhans S, Tief F, Boettcher S, Diedrich S, Schweiger B, Rath B. Educating parents about the vaccination status of their children: A user-centered mobile application. Prev Med Rep 2017; 5:241-250. [PMID: 28127527 PMCID: PMC5257187 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Parents are often uncertain about the vaccination status of their children. In times of vaccine hesitancy, vaccination programs could benefit from active patient participation. The Vaccination App (VAccApp) was developed by the Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, enabling parents to learn about the vaccination status of their children, including 25 different routine, special indication and travel vaccines listed in the WHO Immunization Certificate of Vaccination (WHO-ICV). Between 2012 and 2014, the VAccApp was validated in a hospital-based quality management program in Berlin, Germany, in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute. Parents of 178 children were asked to transfer the immunization data of their children from the WHO-ICV into the VAccApp. The respective WHO-ICV was photocopied for independent, professional data entry (gold standard). Demonstrating the status quo in vaccine information reporting, a Recall Group of 278 parents underwent structured interviews for verbal immunization histories, without the respective WHO-ICV. Only 9% of the Recall Group were able to provide a complete vaccination status; on average 39% of the questions were answered correctly. Using the WHO-ICV with the help of the VAccApp resulted in 62% of parents providing a complete vaccination status; on average 95% of the questions were answered correctly. After using the VAccApp, parents were more likely to remember key aspects of the vaccination history. User-friendly mobile applications empower parents to take a closer look at the vaccination record, thereby taking an active role in providing accurate vaccination histories. Parents may become motivated to ask informed questions and to keep vaccinations up-to-date.
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Key Words
- ED, emergency department
- Electronic health records
- Immunization
- Mobile health
- Patient education
- Patient empowerment
- QM, quality management
- RSV, respiratory syncytial virus
- SOP, standard operating procedure
- VAccApp, Vaccination App, a mobile application for vaccination histories
- VPD, vaccine-preventable disease
- Vaccination history
- ViVI, Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative
- WHO, World Health Organization
- WHO-ICV, International Certificate of Vaccination, issued by the World Health Organization
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Seeber
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tim Conrad
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Freie University, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Hoppe
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Freie University, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Obermeier
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Karsch
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susann Muehlhans
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Tief
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sindy Boettcher
- National Reference Center for Poliomyelitis and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Diedrich
- National Reference Center for Poliomyelitis and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Brunhilde Schweiger
- National Reference Center for Influenza, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Rath
- Department of Pediatrics, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; The University of Nottingham School of Medicine, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG51PB, UK
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Rosselli R, Martini M, Bragazzi NL, Watad A. The Public Health Impact of the So-Called "Fluad Effect" on the 2014/2015 Influenza Vaccination Campaign in Italy: Ethical Implications for Health-Care Workers and Health Communication Practitioners. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 973:125-134. [PMID: 28452003 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2017_39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal influenza, causing complications, hospitalizations and deaths, generates a serious socio-economic burden, especially among elderly and high-risk subjects, as well as among adult individuals. Despite the availability and active free-of charge offer of influenza vaccines, vaccine coverage rates remain low and far from the target established by the Ministry of Health. Notwithstanding their effectiveness, vaccines are victims of prejudices and false myths, that contribute to the increasing phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy and loss of confidence. Media and, in particular, new media and information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a major role in disseminating health-related information. They are extremely promising devices for delivering health education and promoting disease prevention, including immunization. However, they can also have a negative impact on population's health attitudes and behaviors when channeling wrong, misleading information. During the 2014/2015 influenza vaccination campaign, the report of four deaths allegedly caused by administration of an adjuvanted influenza vaccine, Fluad - the so-called "Fluad case" - received an important media coverage, which contributed to the failure of the vaccination campaign, dramatically reducing the influenza vaccine uptake. In the extant literature, there is a dearth of information concerning the effect of the "Fluad case". The current study aims at quantifying the impact of the "Fluad effect" at the level of the Local Health Unit 3 (LHU3) ASL3 Genovese, Genoa, Italy. Ethical implications for health-care workers and health communication practitioners are also envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariano Martini
- Section of History of Medicine and Ethics, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Abdulla Watad
- Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Holt D, Bouder F, Elemuwa C, Gaedicke G, Khamesipour A, Kisler B, Kochhar S, Kutalek R, Maurer W, Obermeier P, Seeber L, Trusko B, Gould S, Rath B. The importance of the patient voice in vaccination and vaccine safety-are we listening? Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22 Suppl 5:S146-S153. [PMID: 27939015 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Much has been written about the patient-physician relationship over the years. This relationship is essential in maintaining trust in the complex arena of modern diagnostic techniques, treatment and prevention, including vaccines and vaccine safety. However, a great deal of this material was written from the viewpoint of clinicians and academics. The patient voice may be positive or negative, fragmented or complex. Information sources are weighed and treated differently, according to the value system and risk perceptions of the individual. In post-trust societies, when people have less confidence in health authorities, communication needs to be more than a paternalistic top-down process. Notions of empowerment and individual patient choice are becoming crucial in medical care. The 'voice of the patient', which includes healthy individuals receiving vaccines, needs to be heard, considered and addressed. With respect to childhood immunizations, this will be the voice of the parent or caregiver. The key to addressing any concerns could be to listen more and to develop a communication style that is trust-based and science-informed. Regulatory agencies are encouraging clinical and patient-reported outcomes research under the umbrella of personalized medicine, and this is an important step forward. This paper attempts to reflect the paradigm shift towards increasing attention to the patient voice in vaccination and vaccine safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Holt
- Confederation of Meningitis Organizations, Kerhars, Le Haut Corlay, France; The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany
| | - F Bouder
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of Technology and Society Studies, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - C Elemuwa
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - G Gaedicke
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Khamesipour
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Centre for Research & Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - B Kisler
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium, Austin, TX, USA
| | - S Kochhar
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Global Healthcare Consulting, New Delhi, India
| | - R Kutalek
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - W Maurer
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - P Obermeier
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of Paediatrics, Charité University Medical Centre, Berlin, Germany
| | - L Seeber
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of Paediatrics, Charité University Medical Centre, Berlin, Germany
| | - B Trusko
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; International Association of Innovation Professionals, Sugar Land, TX, USA
| | - S Gould
- SJG Consultancy, Lyon, France
| | - B Rath
- The Vienna Vaccine Safety Initiative, Berlin, Germany; Department of Paediatrics, Charité University Medical Centre, Berlin, Germany.
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Domnich A, Arata L, Amicizia D, Signori A, Patrick B, Stoyanov S, Hides L, Gasparini R, Panatto D. Development and validation of the Italian version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale and its generalisability to apps targeting primary prevention. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2016; 16:83. [PMID: 27387434 PMCID: PMC4936279 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-016-0323-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A growing body of literature affirms the usefulness of mobile technologies, including mobile applications (apps), in the primary prevention field. The quality of health apps, which today number in the thousands, is a crucial parameter, as it may affect health-related decision-making and outcomes among app end-users. The mobile application rating scale (MARS) has recently been developed to evaluate the quality of such apps, and has shown good psychometric properties. Since there is no standardised tool for assessing the apps available in Italian app stores, the present study developed and validated an Italian version of MARS in apps targeting primary prevention. Methods The original 23-item version of the MARS assesses mobile app quality in four objective quality dimensions (engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information) and one subjective dimension. Validation of this tool involved several steps; the universalist approach to achieving equivalence was adopted. Following two backward translations, a reconciled Italian version of MARS was produced and compared with the original scale. On the basis of sample size estimation, 48 apps from three major app stores were downloaded; the first 5 were used for piloting, while the remaining 43 were used in the main study in order to assess the psychometric properties of the scale. The apps were assessed by two raters, each working independently. The psychometric properties of the final version of the scale was assessed including the inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, convergent, divergent and concurrent validities. Results The intralingual equivalence of the Italian version of the MARS was confirmed by the authors of the original scale. A total of 43 apps targeting primary prevention were tested. The MARS displayed acceptable psychometric properties. The MARS total score showed an excellent level of both inter-rater agreement (intra-class correlation coefficient of .96) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of .90 and .91 for the two raters, respectively). Other types of validity, including convergent, divergent, discriminative, known-groups and scalability, were also established. Conclusions The Italian version of MARS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the health-related primary prevention apps available in Italian app stores. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12911-016-0323-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia Arata
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Amicizia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessio Signori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Bernard Patrick
- School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stoyan Stoyanov
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.,The Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Abbotsford, Australia
| | - Leanne Hides
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.,The Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Abbotsford, Australia
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Interaminense INDCS, Oliveira SCD, Leal LP, Linhares FMP, Pontes CM. TECNOLOGIAS EDUCATIVAS PARA PROMOÇÃO DA VACINAÇÃO CONTRA O PAPILOMAVÍRUS HUMANO: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DA LITERATURA. TEXTO & CONTEXTO ENFERMAGEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/0104-07072016002300015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivou-se investigar as tecnologias educativas construídas e/ou utilizadas para promoção da vacinação contra o Papilomavírus Humano. Trata-se de revisão integrativa da literatura, nas bases de dados CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, BDENF e Adolec, utilizando os descritores tecnologia, vacinação, Papilomavírus Humano, tecnologia educacional e educação em saúde. A amostra final foi de 11 artigos originais, publicados em língua inglesa. Destes, seis foram encontrados na PubMed; quatro eram de 2011 e oito foram desenvolvidos nos Estados Unidos. Em mais da metade (6), o nível de evidência foi quatro e, de acordo com o rigor metodológico, quase todos (10) apresentaram nível A. O vídeo foi a tecnologia educativa mais citada (5), além de mensagens de dispositivos eletrônicos, páginas da internet, programa de computador, radionovela e materiais impressos. Futuras pesquisas devem ser desenvolvidas para identificação de tecnologias, visando melhoria da adesão ao esquema vacinal contra o Papilomavírus Humano.
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Dempsey AF, Zimet GD. Interventions to Improve Adolescent Vaccination: What May Work and What Still Needs to Be Tested. Am J Prev Med 2015; 49:S445-54. [PMID: 26272849 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Since the development of the "adolescent platform" of vaccination in 1997, hundreds of studies have been conducted, identifying barriers to and facilitators of adolescent vaccination. More recent research has focused on developing and evaluating interventions to increase uptake of adolescent vaccines. This review describes a selection of recent intervention studies for increasing adolescent vaccination, divided into three categories: those with promising results that may warrant more widespread implementation, those with mixed results requiring more research, and those with proven effectiveness in other domains that have not yet been tested with regard to adolescent vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda F Dempsey
- Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Dissemination Science program, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Gregory D Zimet
- Section of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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25
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Domnich A, Panatto D, Signori A, Lai PL, Gasparini R, Amicizia D. Age-related differences in the accuracy of web query-based predictions of influenza-like illness. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127754. [PMID: 26011418 PMCID: PMC4444192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Web queries are now widely used for modeling, nowcasting and forecasting influenza-like illness (ILI). However, given that ILI attack rates vary significantly across ages, in terms of both magnitude and timing, little is known about whether the association between ILI morbidity and ILI-related queries is comparable across different age-groups. The present study aimed to investigate features of the association between ILI morbidity and ILI-related query volume from the perspective of age. METHODS Since Google Flu Trends is unavailable in Italy, Google Trends was used to identify entry terms that correlated highly with official ILI surveillance data. All-age and age-class-specific modeling was performed by means of linear models with generalized least-square estimation. Hold-out validation was used to quantify prediction accuracy. For purposes of comparison, predictions generated by exponential smoothing were computed. RESULTS Five search terms showed high correlation coefficients of > .6. In comparison with exponential smoothing, the all-age query-based model correctly predicted the peak time and yielded a higher correlation coefficient with observed ILI morbidity (.978 vs. .929). However, query-based prediction of ILI morbidity was associated with a greater error. Age-class-specific query-based models varied significantly in terms of prediction accuracy. In the 0-4 and 25-44-year age-groups, these did well and outperformed exponential smoothing predictions; in the 15-24 and ≥ 65-year age-classes, however, the query-based models were inaccurate and highly overestimated peak height. In all but one age-class, peak timing predicted by the query-based models coincided with observed timing. CONCLUSIONS The accuracy of web query-based models in predicting ILI morbidity rates could differ among ages. Greater age-specific detail may be useful in flu query-based studies in order to account for age-specific features of the epidemiology of ILI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donatella Panatto
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Inter-University Centre of Research on Influenza and other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessio Signori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Piero Luigi Lai
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Inter-University Centre of Research on Influenza and other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Gasparini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Inter-University Centre of Research on Influenza and other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Amicizia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Inter-University Centre of Research on Influenza and other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT), Genoa, Italy
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26
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Domnich A, Panatto D, Signori A, Bragazzi NL, Cristina ML, Amicizia D, Gasparini R. Uncontrolled Web-based administration of surveys on factual health-related knowledge: a randomized study of untimed versus timed quizzing. J Med Internet Res 2015; 17:e94. [PMID: 25872617 PMCID: PMC4411364 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.3734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 12/06/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health knowledge and literacy are among the main determinants of health. Assessment of these issues via Web-based surveys is growing continuously. Research has suggested that approximately one-fifth of respondents submit cribbed answers, or cheat, on factual knowledge items, which may lead to measurement error. However, little is known about methods of discouraging cheating in Web-based surveys on health knowledge. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at exploring the usefulness of imposing a survey time limit to prevent help-seeking and cheating. METHODS On the basis of sample size estimation, 94 undergraduate students were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to complete a Web-based survey on nutrition knowledge, with or without a time limit of 15 minutes (30 seconds per item); the topic of nutrition was chosen because of its particular relevance to public health. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first was the validated consumer-oriented nutrition knowledge scale (CoNKS) consisting of 20 true/false items; the second was an ad hoc questionnaire (AHQ) containing 10 questions that would be very difficult for people without health care qualifications to answer correctly. It therefore aimed at measuring cribbing and not nutrition knowledge. AHQ items were somewhat encyclopedic and amenable to Web searching, while CoNKS items had more complex wording, so that simple copying/pasting of a question in a search string would not produce an immediate correct answer. RESULTS A total of 72 of the 94 subjects started the survey. Dropout rates were similar in both groups (11%, 4/35 and 14%, 5/37 in the untimed and timed groups, respectively). Most participants completed the survey from portable devices, such as mobile phones and tablets. To complete the survey, participants in the untimed group took a median 2.3 minutes longer than those in the timed group; the effect size was small (Cohen's r=.29). Subjects in the untimed group scored significantly higher on CoNKS (mean difference of 1.2 points, P=.008) and the effect size was medium (Cohen's d=0.67). By contrast, no significant between-group difference in AHQ scores was documented. Unexpectedly high AHQ scores were recorded in 23% (7/31) and 19% (6/32) untimed and timed respondents, respectively, very probably owing to "e-cheating". CONCLUSIONS Cribbing answers to health knowledge items in researcher-uncontrolled conditions is likely to lead to overestimation of people's knowledge; this should be considered during the design and implementation of Web-based surveys. Setting a time limit alone may not completely prevent cheating, as some cheats may be very fast in Web searching. More complex and contextualized wording of items and checking for the "findability" properties of items before implementing a Web-based health knowledge survey may discourage help-seeking, thus reducing measurement error. Studies with larger sample sizes and diverse populations are needed to confirm our results.
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Abstract
Social media have the potential to revolutionize health and healthcare, but fulfilling this potential requires attention to the ethical issues social media may raise. This article reviews the major ethical issues arising when social media are used for research, public health, mobile health applications, and global health. It focuses on social media use outside fiduciary relationships between healthcare professionals and patients. Emphasis is given to the potential of social media in these contexts, the ethical issues relatively unique to each, and where possible how existing ethical principles and frameworks could help navigate these issues. In some cases social media create the circumstance for particular ethical issues but also facilitate managing them, such as in informed consent for research. In other cases, disagreement exists about whether social media - despite their potential - should be used for certain purposes, such as in public health surveillance (where confidentiality represents a significant ethical concern). In still others, ethical uncertainty exists about how social media will affect ethical issues, such as inequality in global health. As social media technologies continue to develop, identifying and managing the ethical issues they raise will be critical to their success in improving health while preserving fundamental ethical values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew DeCamp
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland , USA
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Odone A, Ferrari A, Spagnoli F, Visciarelli S, Shefer A, Pasquarella C, Signorelli C. Effectiveness of interventions that apply new media to improve vaccine uptake and vaccine coverage. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2014; 11:72-82. [PMID: 25483518 PMCID: PMC4514191 DOI: 10.4161/hv.34313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) are still a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In high and middle-income settings, immunization coverage is relatively high. However, in many countries coverage rates of routinely recommended vaccines are still below the targets established by international and national advisory committees. Progress in the field of communication technology might provide useful tools to enhance immunization strategies. OBJECTIVE To systematically collect and summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness of interventions that apply new media to promote vaccination uptake and increase vaccination coverage. DESIGN We conducted a systematic literature review. Studies published from January 1999 to September 2013 were identified by searching electronic resources (Pubmed, Embase), manual searches of references and expert consultation. Study setting We focused on interventions that targeted recommended vaccinations for children, adolescents and adults and: (1) aimed at increasing community demand for immunizations, or (2) were provider-based interventions. We limited the study setting to countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was a measure of vaccination (vaccine uptake or vaccine coverage). Considered secondary outcomes included willingness to receive immunization, attitudes and perceptions toward vaccination, and perceived helpfulness of the intervention. RESULTS Nineteen studies were included in the systematic review. The majority of the studies were conducted in the US (74%, n = 14); 68% (n = 13) of the studies were experimental, the rest having an observational study design. Eleven (58%) reported results on the primary outcome. Retrieved studies explored the role of: text messaging (n.7, 37%), smartphone applications (n.1, 5%), Youtube videos (n.1, 5%), Facebook (n.1, 5%), targeted websites and portals (n.4, 21%), software for physicians and health professionals (n.4, 21%), and email communication (n.1, 5%). There is some evidence that text messaging, accessing immunization campaign websites, using patient-held web-based portals and computerized reminders increase immunization coverage rates. Insufficient evidence is available on the use of social networks, email communication and smartphone applications. CONCLUSION Although there is great potential for improving vaccine uptake and vaccine coverage by implementing programs and interventions that apply new media, scant data are available and further rigorous research - including cost-effectiveness assessments - is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Odone
- Department S.Bi.Bi.T.; Unit of Public Health; University of Parma; Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Ferrari
- Department S.Bi.Bi.T.; Unit of Public Health; University of Parma; Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Spagnoli
- Department S.Bi.Bi.T.; Unit of Public Health; University of Parma; Parma, Italy
| | - Sara Visciarelli
- Department S.Bi.Bi.T.; Unit of Public Health; University of Parma; Parma, Italy
| | - Abigail Shefer
- Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe; Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cesira Pasquarella
- Department S.Bi.Bi.T.; Unit of Public Health; University of Parma; Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Signorelli
- Department S.Bi.Bi.T.; Unit of Public Health; University of Parma; Parma, Italy
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