The Technion researchers discovered a significant difference between "vaccine vaccinators" and "non-vaccinators" in terms of the weights of the factors according to which they evaluate the reliability of the information on the subject. It turns out that detailed information, even if it is incorrect, is perceived as more reliable
How do social media users decide whether to believe online information? A new study conducted at the Technion focused on this question in the context of vaccines. The research published in the prominent journal on vaccines and vaccination, reveals significant differences between the systems of consideration of "vaccine vaccinators" and "non-vaccine vaccinators" in terms of the credibility they attribute to the information that appears on the Internet. It is based on a survey of question and answer (Q&A) platforms and the responses of 694 participants to 600 answers to vaccine-related questions that appeared on Yahoo! Answers.
The Technion researchers discovered a significant difference between "vaccine vaccinators" and "non-vaccinators" in terms of the weights of the factors according to which they evaluate the reliability of the information on the subject. The "non-hesitating" group, who are not suspicious of vaccines, will rely more on information that encourages vaccination and less on information that discourages vaccination. It is interesting to note that this preference was also found among the members of the "Hessani" group, but to a much lesser extent. The "hesitating" group tends to a greater extent to evaluate the reliability of the information according to its level of detail - if the item of information is long and detailed, it is perceived as more reliable. This preference also exists among the members of the "non-hesitating" group, but to a lesser extent.
In addition, the study found in both groups a similar preference for texts written by (at least apparently) health experts over texts written by parents, and a similar preference for texts written by parents over texts by non-experts and non-parents. For example, the following text will have relatively high credibility with everyone: "As a nurse, I can say with full confidence that it is impossible to get infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) from the vaccine against the virus."
The World Health Organization ranks vaccine hesitancy – unwillingness or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines – as one of the 10 greatest threats to human health. Therefore, there is a fear in the scientific community that incorrect information on vaccines may increase the same hesitancy. This was the motivation for the present study.
The study was led by the lead author Dr. Aviv Sharon and Prof. Eilat Baram Tzbari from the Faculty of Science and Technology Education and Dr. Elad Yom-Tov from the Davidson Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management.
Following the findings, Dr. Sharon recommends that the authorities in charge of public health "work with experts in the relevant fields, with civil society organizations and with other stakeholders to promote mutual understanding of the issues underlying the hesitancy towards vaccines. Dealing with this issue will require partnerships that we have not seen so far. This principle applies both in normal times and in times of crisis, such as the outbreak we are experiencing these days."
More of the topic in Hayadan:
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Jacob
The government explains in detail why it set the guidelines.
The information on road safety is also famous. You just have to search.
The opposition to vaccines is a combination of criminals and idiots... here too, all the information is visible
Please note that in the Corona war, the Ministry of Health provides endless instructions, but zero explanations. They don't explain the strategy nor the tactics, they don't describe the desired statistical effect, they just spout slogans as if people are stupid. Then speculations begin, and rumors, and half-truths, and hysteria, and a feeling that people are being abandoned or that they are being too strict.
This is the situation with road safety (what is the logic in the traffic laws), and of course the situation is also the same with vaccinations.