Parents use of information accessed through social media to make immunisation decisions for their young children

Madelaine Thorpe; Jane A Taylor; Rachel Cole

doi:10.1002/hpja.336

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Parents use of information accessed through social media to make immunisation decisions for their young children

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Parents use of information accessed through social media to make immunisation decisions for their young children

Madelaine Thorpe, Jane A Taylor and Rachel Cole

Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.32(2), pp.189-196

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.336

PMID: 32187407

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

health literacy

information and communication technology

qualitative methods

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Issue addressed: Social media, while available to parents to inform decisions about their child's health, including immunisation, is a new area of exploration in public health. To effectively source, interpret and use such information, parents need to be health literate. This pilot study explored how parents of young children under seven years of age obtained, understood and used immunisation information available through social media to inform immunisation decisions for their children. Methods: Purposive sampling followed by a snowball technique was used to recruit parents with one or more children under seven years of age living in the (blinded for peer review).. Face-to-face interviews collected qualitative data in relation to how parents obtained, understood and used information sourced via social media to make immunisation decisions for their children. Results: All participants were passively exposed to immunisation information on social media through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter, but did not report proactively searching for information. The majority understood the immunisation information obtained, however did not perceive it as credible and used other sources to clarify credibility including their healthcare professional. Some participants interacted with the information, but none used it to make immunisation decisions for their children. Conclusions: Whilst parents of children under seven years of age are exposed to immunisation information of social media, they do not use this information to make immunisation decisions for their children, and rely on healthcare professionals for credible information.

Details

Title: Parents use of information accessed through social media to make immunisation decisions for their young children
Authors: Madelaine Thorpe (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sport Sciences
Jane A Taylor (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sport Sciences
Rachel Cole (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sport Sciences
Publication details: Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.32(2), pp.189-196
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1002/hpja.336
ISSN: 1036-1073; 2201-1617
PMID: 32187407
Copyright note: © Australian Health Promotion Association. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450950702621
Output Type: Journal article

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