A pre and post intervention study measuring the effect of interactive education on adolescent perceptions of vaccines, vaccine safety and disease risk. (11th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blanchard, Jaymie-lynn; Johnson, Caitlin; McIntyre, Margaret; Crowcroft, Natasha S; McLellan, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 42:Number 3(2020:Sep.)
• Page Start: e272
• Page End: e277
• Publication Date: 2019-10-11
• Subjects: Immunisation -- Young people -- Educational settings; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Adolescents make decisions about their own vaccinations and will be the childhood vaccine decision makers of tomorrow. It is therefore essential to educate adolescents about the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization safety. This study evaluated the impact of an interactive education initiative among adolescents at a high school in North Bay Ontario. Methods: An anonymized questionnaire to assess students' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases was administered before and after delivering an interactive session. Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to test for differences between pre and post responses. Results: The intervention increased the students' awareness that measles is a disease that affects their generation ( P < 0.05). Improvements were also noted in the perceived risk of pertussis ( P < 0.05) and tetanus (0.05). After the session, respondents were also more willing to participate with their parents in decisions affecting their healthcare ( P < 0.05). Students' perception of vaccine safety also improved ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: Post survey results suggest that the interactive educational intervention had a positive effect on the adolescents' perceptions and attitudes towards immunization. Further research is required to determine the impact of this type of intervention on adolescents' future decision-making with respect to immunization.