scholarly journals Novel Predictors of Coronavirus Protective Behaviors among US adults: The role of trait reactance, conspiracy beliefs, and belief in the apocalypse. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Resnicow ◽  
Elizabeth Bacon ◽  
Penny Yang ◽  
Sarah Hawley ◽  
M Lee Van Horn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Communication Techniques ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs

BACKGROUND A central component of the public health strategy to control the 2019 Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus involves encouraging mask wearing and social distancing to protect individuals from acquiring and transmitting the virus. OBJECTIVE Understanding the psychologic factors that drive adoption or rejection of these protective behaviors can inform public health interventions to control the pandemic. METHODS We conducted an online survey of a representative sample of 1,074 U.S. adults, and assessed three novel potential predictors of COVID-19 behaviors; Trait Reactance, COVID-19 Conspiracy Beliefs, and COVID-19 Apocalypse Beliefs. Key outcomes (dependent variables) included an index of COVID-19 protective behaviors, number of trips taken from the home, and COVID-19 knowledge. RESULTS In bi-variate analyses, all three predictors were significantly correlated in the hypothesized direction with the three COVID-19 outcomes. Specifically, each predictor was negatively (p < .01) correlated with the COVID-19 protective behaviors index and COVID-19 knowledge score and positively correlated with trips taken from home per week (more of which was considered higher risk). COVID-19 protective behaviors and COVID-19 knowledge were significantly lower in the top median compared to the bottom median for all three predictors. In general, these findings remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, income, education, race, and religiosity. Self-identified Republicans (vs. other political affiliations) reported the highest values for each of the novel predictors. CONCLUSIONS This study can inform the development of health communication interventions to encourage adoption of COVID-19 protective behaviors. Interestingly, we found that higher scores of all three novel predictors were associated with lower COVID-19 knowledge, suggesting that lack of an accurate understanding of the virus may be driving some of these attitudes although it is also possible that these attributes may interfere with one’s willingness or ability to seek and absorb accurate health information. These individuals may be particularly immune to accepting new information and yielding their beliefs. Health communication professionals may apply lessons learned from countering similar beliefs around climate change and vaccine hesitancy. Messages designed for individuals prone to reactance should minimize controlling language and emphasize the individual’s autonomy in adopting these behavioral recommendations. Messaging for those who possess conspiracy beliefs should similarly not assume that providing evidence contrary to these beliefs will alone alter behavior. Other communication techniques such as “rolling with resistance”, a strategy used in Motivational Interviewing may be helpful. Messaging for those with apocalyptic beliefs may require using religious leaders as the message source as well as using scripture that would support the adoption of COVID-19 protection.

scholarly journals Novel Predictors of COVID-19 Protective Behaviors Among US Adults: Cross-sectional Survey

10.2196/23488 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. e23488
Author(s):  
Ken Resnicow ◽  
Elizabeth Bacon ◽  
Penny Yang ◽  
Sarah Hawley ◽  
M Lee Van Horn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs

Background A central component of the public health strategy to control the COVID-19 pandemic involves encouraging mask wearing and social distancing to protect individuals from acquiring and transmitting the virus. Objective This study aims to understand the psychological factors that drive adoption or rejection of these protective behaviors, which can inform public health interventions to control the pandemic. Methods We conducted an online survey of a representative sample of 1074 US adults and assessed three novel potential predictors of COVID-19 behaviors: trait reactance, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, and COVID-19 apocalypse beliefs. Key outcomes (dependent variables) included an index of COVID-19 protective behaviors, the number of trips taken from the home, and COVID-19 knowledge. Results In bivariate analyses, all three predictors were significantly correlated in the hypothesized direction with the three COVID-19 outcomes. Specifically, each predictor was negatively (P<.01) correlated with the COVID-19 protective behaviors index and COVID-19 knowledge score, and positively correlated with trips taken from home per week (more of which was considered higher risk). COVID-19 protective behaviors and COVID-19 knowledge were significantly lower in the top median compared to the bottom median for all three predictors. In general, these findings remained significant after adjusting for all novel predictors plus age, gender, income, education, race, political party, and religiosity. Self-identified Republicans (vs other political affiliations) reported the highest values for each of the novel predictors. Conclusions This study can inform the development of health communication interventions to encourage the adoption of COVID-19 protective behaviors. Interestingly, we found that higher scores of all three novel predictors were associated with lower COVID-19 knowledge, suggesting that lack of an accurate understanding of the virus may be driving some of these attitudes; although, it is also possible that these attributes may interfere with one’s willingness or ability to seek and absorb accurate health information. These individuals may be particularly immune to accepting new information and yielding their beliefs. Health communication professionals may apply lessons learned from countering similar beliefs around climate change and vaccine hesitancy. Messages designed for individuals prone to reactance may be more effective if they minimize controlling language and emphasize the individual’s independence in adopting these behavioral recommendations. Messaging for those who possess conspiracy beliefs should similarly not assume that providing evidence contrary to these beliefs will alone alter behavior. Other communication techniques such as rolling with resistance, a strategy used in motivational interviewing, may be helpful. Messaging for those with apocalyptic beliefs may require using religious leaders as the message source and using scripture that would support the adoption of COVID-19 protection behaviors.

scholarly journals Low COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Is Correlated with Conspiracy Beliefs among University Students in Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2407
Author(s):  
Malik Sallam ◽  
Deema Dababseh ◽  
Huda Eid ◽  
Hanan Hasan ◽  
Duaa Taim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
A Chain

Vaccination to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a promising measure to overcome the negative consequences of the pandemic. Since university students could be considered a knowledgeable group, this study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among this group in Jordan. Additionally, we aimed to examine the association between vaccine conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy. We used an online survey conducted in January 2021 with a chain-referral sampling approach. Conspiracy beliefs were evaluated using the validated Vaccine Conspiracy Belief Scale (VCBS), with higher scores implying embrace of conspiracies. A total of 1106 respondents completed the survey with female predominance (n = 802, 72.5%). The intention to get COVID-19 vaccines was low: 34.9% (yes) compared to 39.6% (no) and 25.5% (maybe). Higher rates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were seen among males (42.1%) and students at Health Schools (43.5%). A Low rate of influenza vaccine acceptance was seen as well (28.8%), in addition to 18.6% of respondents being anti-vaccination altogether. A significantly higher VCBS score was correlated with reluctance to get the vaccine (p < 0.001). Dependence on social media platforms was significantly associated with lower intention to get COVID-19 vaccines (19.8%) compared to dependence on medical doctors, scientists, and scientific journals (47.2%, p < 0.001). The results of this study showed the high prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its association with conspiracy beliefs among university students in Jordan. The implementation of targeted actions to increase the awareness of such a group is highly recommended. This includes educational programs to dismantle vaccine conspiracy beliefs and awareness campaigns to build recognition of the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Legitimising a ‘Zombie idea’: childhood vaccines and autism

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Rizzi ◽  
K Attwell ◽  
V Casigliani ◽  
J Taylor ◽  
F Quattrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Scientific Authority ◽  
Immunization Rates

Abstract Background In June 2017 the Italian government made childhood vaccination mandatory following a drop in immunization rates. In the years preceding, two court judgments affirmed a causal link between vaccines and autism. Studies have linked these decisions to internet searches about vaccine-autism, the popularity of 'no-vax' theories, and drops in immunization rates. This paper provides an in-depth case study of both decisions and their impact. Methods We use a synthetic research design reliant on: (i) a systematic collection of primary sources (publicly available and obtained via official access to information requests); (ii) interviews with key actors prominently involved in the two cases or privy to the Italian vaccine-injury compensation regime (iii) a systematic analysis of media coverage. Results Circumstantial and systemic flaws enabled these decisions. Poor trial strategies, insufficient resources and laborious communication practices between arms of government were facilitators. Lack of awareness of the social sensitivity of vaccine issues, underestimation of the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy, and a tendency to 'think in silos' informed the lack of attention dedicated to the cases. The decisions created false expectations of economic benefits and vindication for families with autistic children, resulting in increased litigation. Systemic flaws exist in the process of appointment of expert consultants acting for the court leading to judicial reliance on false data. Conclusions Lessons learned include greater levels of attention to vaccine cases by the administration and a matured attitude of adjudicating bodies. Two issues remain: (i) the inability of government lawyers to disseminate positive results to counteract unfounded narratives; (ii) flaws in the process of appointing expert consultants advising courts, which remains focused on the fiduciary nature of the relationship, rather than scientific authority. Key messages The Milan and Rimini decisions that directly affected vaccine governance stemmed from a combination of circumstantial decision-making and systemic flaws that still lurk in public health governance. Strategic decision-making that overlooks lower levels of the adjudicative system can lead to significant public health consequences as courts of law and courts of public opinion obey different logics.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Chinese Population: A Large-Scale National Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Wu ◽  
Quanman Li ◽  
Clifford Silver Tarimo ◽  
Meiyun Wang ◽  
Jianqin Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Level ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Booster Vaccination ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
National Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
And Behavior

Globally, vaccine hesitancy is a growing public health problem. It is detrimental to the consolidation of immunization program achievements and elimination of vaccine-targeted diseases. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in China and explore its contributing factors. A national cross-sectional online survey among Chinese adults (≥18 years old) was conducted between August 6, 2021 and August 9 via a market research company. We collected sociodemographic information; lifestyle behavior; quality of life; the knowledge, awareness, and behavior of COVID-19; the knowledge, awareness, and behavior of COVID-19 vaccine; willingness of COVID-19 vaccination; accessibility of COVID-19 vaccination services; skepticism about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine; doctor and vaccine developer scale; and so on. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the associations by using logistic regression models. A total of 29,925 residents (48.64% men) were enrolled in our study with mean age of 30.99 years. We found an overall prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy at 8.40% (95% CI, 8.09–8.72) in primary vaccination and 8.39% (95% CI, 8.07–8.70) in booster vaccination. In addition, after adjusting for potential confounders, we found that women, higher educational level, married residents, higher score of health condition, never smoked, increased washing hands, increased wearing mask, increased social distance, lower level of vaccine conspiracy beliefs, disease risks outweigh vaccine risk, higher level of convenient vaccination, and higher level of trust in doctor and developer were more willing to vaccinate than all others (all p &lt; 0.05). Age, sex, educational level, marital status, chronic disease condition, smoking, healthy behaviors, the curability of COVID-19, the channel of accessing information of COVID-19 vaccine, endorsement of vaccine conspiracy beliefs, weigh risks of vaccination against risks of the disease, making a positive influence on the health of others around you, and lower trust in healthcare system may affect the variation of willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine (all p &lt; 0.05). The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was modest in China, even with the slight resulting cascade of changing vaccination rates between the primary and booster vaccination. Urgent action to address vaccine hesitancy is needed in building trust in medical personnel and vaccine producers, promoting the convenience of vaccination services, and spreading reliable information of COVID-19 vaccination via the Internet and other media.

scholarly journals A Perfect Storm: The Social and Institutional Contexts of Samoa’s 2019-2020 Measles Epidemic and the Lessons learned for the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Ramona Boodoosingh ◽  
◽  
Safua Akeli Amaama ◽  
Penelope Schoeffel ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Institutional Contexts

In late 2019 and early 2020, an epidemic of measles ravaged Samoa, and nearly three people in every hundred (2.83%) in the small population were infected, with 1860 hospitalizations and 83 deaths, mainly children. In the circumstances of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, this case study shows that even when a proven vaccine exists for an infectious disease, circumstances may prevent its effective use. As academics and researchers who live and work in Samoa, this article seeks to shed some light into contributing factors to the measles outbreak. These include inadequate data collection, low vaccination coverage, weak institutional capacity, unpreparedness for an epidemic, lack of public information, vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine propaganda and public recourse to traditional and ‘alternative’ therapies. Through a combination of personal observation, analysis of media articles, government reports and historical documents, we present an overview of the circumstances of the measles epidemic. We trace the circumstances of low vaccination coverage, institutional weaknesses and an uninformed public resulting in a delayed an effective response. In conclusion we reflect on the lessons that history offers on public health services in Samoa. Keywords: Measles, Epidemic, Samoa, public health, Covid-19, vaccination.

scholarly journals WHY SOME HESITATE MORE: CROSS-CULTURAL VARIATION IN CONSPIRACY BELIEFS, BELIEF IN SCIENCE, AND VACCINE ATTITUDES

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gul Deniz Salali ◽  
Mete Sefa Uysal
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Relative Effect ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Uk

Background: Countries differ in their levels of vaccine hesitancy (a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines), trust in vaccines, and acceptance of new vaccines. In this paper, we examine the factors contributing to the cross-cultural variation in vaccine attitudes, measured by levels of 1) general vaccine hesitancy, 2) trust in vaccines, and 3) COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Methods: We examined the relative effect of conspiracy mentality, belief in COVID-19 conspiracies, and belief in science on the above-mentioned vaccine attitudes in the UK (n= 1533), US (n= 1550), and Turkey (n= 1567) through a quota-sampled online survey to match the population for age, gender, ethnicity, and education level. Results: We found that belief in COVID-19 conspiracies and conspiracy mentality were the strongest predictors of general vaccine hesitancy across all three countries. Belief in science had the largest positive effect on general vaccine trust and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Although participants in Turkey demonstrated the lowest level of vaccine trust, their belief in science score was significantly higher than participants in the US, suggesting that belief in science cannot explain the cross-cultural variation in vaccine trust. The mean levels of conspiracy mentality and agreement with COVID-19 conspiracies were consistent with the country-level differences in general and COVID-19 vaccine attitudes. Demographic variables did not predict vaccine attitudes as much as belief in conspiracies and science. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cross-cultural variation in vaccine hesitancy, vaccine trust, and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates are mainly driven by differences in the prevalence of conspiratorial thinking across countries.

scholarly journals Development of a Codebook of Online Anti-Vaccination Rhetoric to Manage COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Hughes ◽  
C. Miller-Idriss ◽  
R. Piltch-Loeb ◽  
K. White ◽  
M. Creizis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
User Generated Content ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Public Health Communication ◽  
Effective Public Health ◽  
Pandemic Vaccine ◽  
Qualitative Coding ◽  
Health Messaging

AbstractVaccine hesitancy (delay in obtaining a vaccine, despite availability) represents a significant hurdle to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy is in part related to the prevalence of anti-vaccine misinformation and disinformation, which are spread through social media and user-generated content platforms. This study uses qualitative coding methodology to identify salient narratives and rhetorical styles common to anti-vaccine and COVID-denialist media. It organizes these narratives and rhetorics according to theme, imagined antagonist, and frequency. Most frequent were narratives centered on “corrupt elites” and rhetorics appealing to the vulnerability of children. The identification of these narratives and rhetorics may assist in developing effective public health messaging campaigns, since narrative and emotion have demonstrated persuasive effectiveness in other public health communication settings.

scholarly journals COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccine passports: Vaccination or restriction?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shohei Okamoto ◽  
Kazuki Kamimura ◽  
Kohei Komamura
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Objectives: While the development of vaccines against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) brought the hope of establishing herd immunity, which might help end the global pandemic, vaccine hesitancy can hinder the progress towards herd immunity. In this study, we assess the determinants of vaccine hesitancy, reasons for hesitation, and effectiveness of vaccine passports in relaxing public health restrictions. Methods: Through an online survey that includes a conjoint experiment of a demographically representative sample of 5,000 Japanese adults aged 20-74, we assess the determinants of vaccine hesitancy, reasons for hesitation, and effectiveness of hypothetical vaccine passports. Results: We found that about 30% of respondents did not intend to vaccinate or have not yet decided, with major reasons for vaccine hesitancy being related to concerns about the safety and side effects of the vaccine. In line with previous findings, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, and psychological factors such as weaker COVID-19 fear were associated with vaccine hesitancy. The easing of public health restrictions such as travel, wearing face masks, and dining out at night was associated with an increase in vaccine acceptance by 4-10%. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy can be reduced by mitigating the concerns about vaccine safety and side effects, as well as by relaxing public health restrictions. However, the feasibility of vaccine passports needs to be sufficiently assessed, taking the ethical issues of passports and the public health impacts of the relaxation of restrictions into careful consideration.

Improving preventive health behaviors in the COVID-19 crisis: a messaging intervention in a large nationally representative sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Sophie Hacquin ◽  
Hugo Mercier ◽  
Coralie Chevallier
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Sunk Costs ◽  
Protective Behavior ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Public Health Campaign ◽  
Health Campaign ◽  
Public Health Communication ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Self Protection

Public health communication play an important role in the fight against COVID-19. We used five well-established psychological levers to improve on the efficacy of two posters used by the French authorities (one on protective behaviors and one on proper handwashing). The five levers were: simplification (streamlining the posters), sunk costs (emphasizing the costs already paid to fight the pandemic), morality (emphasizing the duty to help others), self-protection (emphasizing the personal risks), and disgust (pointing out and illustrating that not following the protective behaviors or proper handwashing had consequences that should trigger disgust). We tested on a large (N = 3000) nationally representative French sample whether versions of the posters using these levers, compared to a control condition, were clearer, better recalled, and increased people’s intention to follow the posters’ recommendations. On the whole, there were no effects of the manipulations on any of the measures. The only consistent pattern was that the control protective behavior poster was better recalled than the alternatives (except for the simplified version), possibly because it contained one fewer message. The lack of effect on behavioral intentions might be attributed to the potential saturation in terms of health communication at the time of the experiment. Our results--mostly null and potentially negative--confirm the importance of testing interventions before using them in a public health campaign, even if they are grounded in successful past interventions.

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