Berrigan, David, Hipp, J. Aaron, Hurvitz, Philip M., James, Peter, Jankowska, Marta M., Kerr, Jacqueline, Laden, Francine, Leonard, Tammy, McKinnon, Robin A., Powell-Wiley, Tiffany M., Tarlov, Elizabeth, and Zenk, Shannon N.
Atkinson, Katherine M., Westeinde, Jacqueline, Ducharme, Robin, Wilson, Sarah E., Deeks, Shelley L., Crowcroft, Natasha, Hawken, Steven, and Wilson, Kumanan
Subjects
Research Paper
Abstract
Mobile applications have the potential to influence vaccination behavior, including on-time vaccination. We sought to determine whether the use of a mobile immunization app was associated with the likelihood of reporting on-time vaccination in a cohort of 50 childbearing women. In this pilot study, we describe participant reported app use, knowledge, attitudes or beliefs regarding pediatric vaccination and technology readiness index (TRI) scores.
Atkinson, Katherine M, Ducharme, Robin, Westeinde, Jacqueline, Wilson, Sarah E, Deeks, Shelley L, Pascali, Dante, and Wilson, Kumanan
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Subjects
vaccine hesitancy, pediatric vaccination, immunization, mobile technology, attitudes and behaviors, Research Paper, and knowledge
Abstract
Sub-optimal vaccination coverage and recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases serve as a reminder that vaccine hesitancy remains a concern. ImmunizeCA, a new smartphone app to help track immunizations, may address several reasons for not vaccinating. We conducted a study to describe demographic variables, attitudes, beliefs and information sources regarding pediatric vaccination in a sample of childbearing women who were willing to download an immunization app. We also sought to measure their current mobile usage behaviors and determine if there is an association between participant demographics, attitudes, beliefs and information sources regarding pediatric vaccination and mobile usage. We recruited participants using a combination of passive and active methods at a tertiary care hospital in Ottawa, Canada. We used surveys to collect demographic information, examine attitudes, behavior, and information sources regarding immunization and self-reported mobile phone usage. A total of 54 women participated. The majority had positive attitudes toward vaccination (96%) and intended to vaccinate their children (98%). Participants were interested in information on pediatric vaccination (94%), and found information from public health the most reliable and accessible (78%). Participants also trusted immunization information from their doctor or nurse and public health (83%) more than other sources. There was variability in participant use of mobile apps for other purposes. The median participant mobile readiness score was 3.2. We found no significant associations between participant age, behavior and attitudes regarding vaccination and mobile readiness scores. This is the first evaluation of mobile readiness for a smartphone app to track immunizations. Our findings suggest that there exists an opportunity to provide reliable information on vaccination through mobile devices to better inform the public, however predictors of individual engagement with these technologies merits further study.
Atkinson KM, Westeinde J, Ducharme R, Wilson SE, Deeks SL, Crowcroft N, Hawken S, and Wilson K
Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics [Hum Vaccin Immunother] 2016 Oct 02; Vol. 12 (10), pp. 2654-2661. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Jun 20.
Subjects
Adult, Canada, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Pilot Projects, Pregnancy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors, Young Adult, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Immunization Schedule, Mobile Applications, and Reminder Systems
Abstract
Mobile applications have the potential to influence vaccination behavior, including on-time vaccination. We sought to determine whether the use of a mobile immunization app was associated with the likelihood of reporting on-time vaccination in a cohort of 50 childbearing women. In this pilot study, we describe participant reported app use, knowledge, attitudes or beliefs regarding pediatric vaccination and technology readiness index (TRI) scores. To explore if app use is associated with change in attitudes, beliefs or behavior, participants were instructed complete a baseline survey at recruitment then download the app. A follow up survey followed 6-months later, reexamining concepts from the first survey as well as collecting participant TRI scores. Changes in Likert scores between pre and post survey questions were compared and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between TRI score and select survey responses. Thirty-two percent of participants perceived that the app made them more likely to vaccinate on time. We found some individuals' attitudes toward vaccines improved, some became less supportive and in others there was no change. The mean participant TRI score was 3.25(IQR 0.78) out of a maximum score of 5, indicating a moderate level of technological adoption among the study cohort population. While the app was well received, these preliminary results showed participant attitudes toward vaccination moved dichotomously. Barriers to adoption remain in both usability and accessibility of mobile solutions, which are in part dependent on the user's innate characteristics such as technology readiness.
In the aftermath of the September 11 World Trade Center (WTC) attack, a large number of people sustained potential exposures to smoke, dust, particulate matter, and a variety of toxins, including asbestos, pulverized concrete, glass fibers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated furans and dioxins. Additionally, many had exposure to psychological traumatogens. The most common effects seen to date are respiratory and mental health consequences. The long-term consequences of exposures are not yet known, and there remains concern about the potential for late-emerging diseases such as cancers. This article reviews WTC-related health effects, the spectrum of exposures and how they were documented, and discusses future preventive efforts.
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