Parental Attitudes and Beliefs Associated with Internet Use as a Source of Vaccine Information Open Access
Jones, Abbey (2011)
Abstract
Background: School immunization requirements have led to
high immunization coverage
rates among school-aged children and contributed to the success of
vaccination as a
public health intervention in the United States. However, vaccine
refusal rates have
increased in recent years, leading to the potential for outbreaks
of vaccine-preventable
diseases. Additionally, the internet has rapidly become a widely
used source of
information, including information on vaccines, but research has
not been conducted to
examine the factors associated with the use of the internet for
vaccine information among
parents. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes
and beliefs associated
with the use of the internet as a source of vaccine information
among parents of school-
aged children.
Methods: Surveys were mailed to 1630 parent of fully
vaccinated children and 815
parents of children with exemptions to one or more vaccine, and
were returned by 56.1%
of parents. Surveys asked respondents to identify information
sources used for vaccine
information. Respondents were asked about their perceptions of the
accuracy of vaccine
information sources and their beliefs on key issues related to
vaccination.
Results: Internet use as a source of vaccine information was
significantly higher among
parents who did not view their child's healthcare provider as a
reliable source of
information on vaccines. Younger parents and parents with higher
education levels were
significantly more likely to use the internet for vaccine
information, as were parents who
were opposed to school immunization requirements. Parents who used
the internet as a
source of vaccine information were also significantly more likely
to have lower
perceptions of vaccine safety (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.18-2.35) and
vaccine effectiveness
(OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.32-2.53) and lower perceptions of disease
susceptibility (OR, 2.08;
95% CI, 1.49-2.90).
Discussion: Parents who used the internet were more likely to
view vaccines as harmful
or unsafe, and they were less likely to view vaccines as effective.
Internet users were also
less likely to believe that their child would benefit from
vaccination. These findings
indicate the need to reach internet users with accurate information
regarding vaccines and
vaccine-preventable diseases.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
BACKGROUND.. 1
INTRODUCTION.. 5
METHODS. 7
RESULTS. 12
DISCUSSION.. 17
REFERENCES. 21
TABLES. 23
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