Journal of health communication
-
COVID-19 has created global challenges that only an effective vaccine, apparently, can lead the citizens of the world back to a sense of normalcy. While safe vaccines were developed, tested and approved at an extraordinary pace, concerns were raised regarding the public's response in accepting the vaccine on the population level. Israel was among the first countries to roll out a massive national campaign for COVID-19 vaccination, positioning Israel as the global lead in vaccine uptake. ⋯ Vaccine resistance and hesitancy may be encountered as the campaign progresses, and younger groups targeted. Future considerations include perceived benefits offered to people with vaccination and the role of health/digital literacy in preparedness policies. Ethical issues regarding the rights of those vaccinated, as well as those who have not, are explored.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Is Involvement a Good Thing? The Undesirable Consequences of Topical and Conversational Involvement in the Context of Alcohol Consumption.
Whereas there is evidence that interpersonal communication, or conversation, influences predictors of alcohol consumption, the role of involvement in conversation effects remains unclear. This study explored how three aspects of involvement (topical relevance, or how relevant the topic of alcohol is; conversational relevance, or how relevant a conversation about alcohol is; and conversational effort, or how much effort people put into such a conversation), influence conversation effects. After assessing topical relevance, 46 same-sex dyads were requested to talk about the negative consequences of heavy drinking. ⋯ Conversational effort further increased when a talking role was assigned. Furthermore, participants who put more effort in the conversation and found it more relevant had more positive norms, identified more strongly with alcohol, and had higher intentions to drink. These findings suggest that more involvement in an alcohol-related conversation does not always lead to desirable outcomes.
-
Studies show significant association between cancer risk and being a firefighter. After exposure to even routine firefighting, firefighters' bunker gear often contains carcinogens that may be absorbed through contact or inhaled through off-gassing, thereby increasing cancer risk. Awareness of increased cancer risk has given rise to policies and practices focused on gear cleaning and decontamination processes to decrease risk; yet, these efforts are in their infancy and tend to be somewhat piecemeal in nature. ⋯ In line with previous research on HROs, regression models showed that norms and self-efficacy are the strongest predictors of current behavior. However, postintervention, attitudes emerge as the strongest predictor of future behavior. The results of this study provide valuable evidence for utilizing theoretical elements in message design for interventions in HROs, and of the importance of designing communication for specific sites of intervention.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Improving Provider Communication about HPV Vaccines for Vaccine-Hesitant Parents Through the Use of Motivational Interviewing.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake is below that of other routine adolescent vaccines. This is due in part to the fact that the HPV vaccine is often not routinely recommended by providers to all eligible adolescents. While providers' recommendations are crucial, even a strongly stated recommendation can be insufficient among HPV vaccine-hesitant parents. ⋯ Outcomes included time spent discussing the HPV vaccine during clinical visits, providers' self-efficacy for addressing parental HPV vaccine hesitancy, and their general perceptions of the effectiveness of MI techniques. Overall, findings indicate the intervention improved providers' communication with HPV vaccine-hesitant parents and providers reported the use of MI played a central role in improved HPV vaccine acceptance. Lessons learned and recommendations for future interventions are also discussed.