Shai Ashkenazi1, Gilat Livni2, Adi Klein3, Noa Kremer4, Ariel Havlin5, Oren Berkowitz6. 1. Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel. Electronic address: shaias@ariel.ac.il. 2. Department of Pediatrics A, Schneider Children's Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: livni.gilat@gmail.com. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera and Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel. Electronic address: adi@hy.health.gov.il. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Ziv Medical Center, Zefat, Israel. Electronic address: noakremer1406@gmail.com. 5. Wilf's Children Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: arielhavlin@gmail.com. 6. Department of Health Systems Management, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel. Electronic address: orenbe@ariel.ac.il.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Based on the hypothesis that sources of information might affect knowledge and vaccine acceptance, our objectives were to study parental characteristics and sources of information regarding measles/measles vaccine, its relationship to correct knowledge and to administration of the measles vaccine. BACKGROUND: Although measles eradication is potentially achievable, in 2018-2019 a worldwide resurgence of measles and measles-caused deaths occurred. The main driver was incomplete or no vaccination, designated as vaccine hesitancy (VH). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 399 individuals dispersed all over the country was conducted. Research assistants interviewed parents with a 20-question survey which was previously validated. The questionnaire included four sections: demographics, major sources of information on measles/measles vaccine, knowledge about measles/measles vaccine, and status of child's vaccination. Univariate and multivariate analyses explored associations between correct knowledge and VH. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were between the ages of 25-39 (62%). Of these, 309 (77%) vaccinated their children against measles on time, 32 (8%) vaccinations were incomplete, and 58 (15%) did not vaccinate, for a total VH of 23%. Parents < 30 years-old and those with a single-child vaccinated less frequently (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Internet and social-media were the major source of information for 32% regarding measles/measles vaccine and for 49% regarding the measles outbreak; both sources were negatively associated with correct knowledge (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, knowledge was independently associated with timely vaccine administration (p < 0.001) and internet or social-media as sources with higher VH (OR 2.52, 95%CI 1.18-5.37 and OR 2.44, 95%CI 1.01-5.91, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Social-media and internet are a common source of information on measles/measles vaccine (probably on other vaccines as well), and often associated with incorrect knowledge, which relates significantly to VH. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this prevailing behavior and respond accordingly in these platforms, with the aid of experts in social-networking.
OBJECTIVES: Based on the hypothesis that sources of information might affect knowledge and vaccine acceptance, our objectives were to study parental characteristics and sources of information regarding measles/measles vaccine, its relationship to correct knowledge and to administration of the measles vaccine. BACKGROUND: Although measles eradication is potentially achievable, in 2018-2019 a worldwide resurgence of measles and measles-caused deaths occurred. The main driver was incomplete or no vaccination, designated as vaccine hesitancy (VH). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 399 individuals dispersed all over the country was conducted. Research assistants interviewed parents with a 20-question survey which was previously validated. The questionnaire included four sections: demographics, major sources of information on measles/measles vaccine, knowledge about measles/measles vaccine, and status of child's vaccination. Univariate and multivariate analyses explored associations between correct knowledge and VH. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were between the ages of 25-39 (62%). Of these, 309 (77%) vaccinated their children against measles on time, 32 (8%) vaccinations were incomplete, and 58 (15%) did not vaccinate, for a total VH of 23%. Parents < 30 years-old and those with a single-child vaccinated less frequently (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Internet and social-media were the major source of information for 32% regarding measles/measles vaccine and for 49% regarding the measles outbreak; both sources were negatively associated with correct knowledge (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, knowledge was independently associated with timely vaccine administration (p < 0.001) and internet or social-media as sources with higher VH (OR 2.52, 95%CI 1.18-5.37 and OR 2.44, 95%CI 1.01-5.91, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Social-media and internet are a common source of information on measles/measles vaccine (probably on other vaccines as well), and often associated with incorrect knowledge, which relates significantly to VH. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this prevailing behavior and respond accordingly in these platforms, with the aid of experts in social-networking.
Authors: Maayan Shacham; Lee Greenblatt-Kimron; Yaira Hamama-Raz; Leslie R Martin; Oren Peleg; Menachem Ben-Ezra; Eitan Mijiritsky Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-06 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Ivana Gusar; Suzana Konjevoda; Grozdana Babić; Dijana Hnatešen; Maja Čebohin; Rahela Orlandini; Boris Dželalija Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-07-02 Impact factor: 3.390