Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies

Biography

Biography: Andrea Ianni

Abstract

Background. The lack of adhesion to vaccination represents a main issue for population prevention, as well as a real challenge for public health operators. Besides analyzing deep motivations and causes of such a behavior, evaluating style and topics of official communication campaigns can contribute to a better understanding of this complex matter.

Study Objective. In the present study an instrument was built to deeply evaluate main aspects of official communication campaigns aimed at population health education. Such an instrument was prepared starting from nurse competencies in that field, followed by a wide integration with other healthcare professionals competencies. The relevant contribution of other disciplines, such as social science and communication methodology, was considered as well. Main objective was to develop an instrument to evaluate main contents and structure of official education campaigns about vaccination.

Methods. The most relevant models of “positive communication” were chosen, in order to define contents of each health education campaign to be evaluated. Nurse core competencies were defined and combined with communication models highlights. A 13-item grid was prepared for the study purpose.

Results and Discussion. Official vaccination campaigns were evaluated through the application of this original instrument. Differences were observed among Institutions and their communication campaigns. Efficacy evaluation was performed by comparison of different vaccination campaigns.

Conclusions. Understanding vaccination adherence and refusal, and the motivations thereof, is especially critical for creating effective systems of health communication. An instrument to evaluate main contents of official communication campaigns can contribute to increase the knowledge in this field