A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authors
Background: Influenza vaccine coverage among the Japanese population is less than optimal. Anti-vaccination sentiment exists worldwide, and Japan is no exception. Anti-influenza vaccination activists argue on the internet that influenza vaccine has little or no efficacy and a high risk of side effec...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2018-04-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844018305437 |
| _version_ | 1818280535636574208 |
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| author | Tsuyoshi Okuhara Hirono Ishikawa Mio Kato Masafumi Okada Takahiro Kiuchi |
| author_facet | Tsuyoshi Okuhara Hirono Ishikawa Mio Kato Masafumi Okada Takahiro Kiuchi |
| author_sort | Tsuyoshi Okuhara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Influenza vaccine coverage among the Japanese population is less than optimal. Anti-vaccination sentiment exists worldwide, and Japan is no exception. Anti-influenza vaccination activists argue on the internet that influenza vaccine has little or no efficacy and a high risk of side effects, and they warn that people should forgo vaccination. We conducted a qualitative analysis to explore beliefs underlying the messages of anti-influenza vaccination websites, by focusing on the perceived value these beliefs provide to those who hold them. Methods: We conducted online searches in January 2017 using two major Japanese search engines (Google Japan and Yahoo! Japan). Targeted websites were classified as “pro”, “anti”, or “neutral” depending on their claims. We applied a dual analytic approach—inductive thematic analysis and deductive interpretative analysis—to textual data of the anti websites. Results: Of the 113 anti websites, we identified two themes that correspond to beliefs: it is necessary to 1) protect others against risks and exploitation related to influenza vaccination, and 2) educate others about hidden truths and self-determination. Authors of anti websites ascribed two values (people's “safety” and one's own “self-esteem”) to their beliefs. Discussion: Website authors may engage in anti-vaccination activities because they want to feel they are virtuous, saving people from harm caused by vaccination, and to boost their self-esteem, thinking “I am enlightening uninformed people.” The anti-vaccination beliefs of website authors were considered to be strong. In promoting vaccination, it would be better not to target outright vaccine refusers, such as the authors of anti-vaccination websites; it is preferable to target vaccine-hesitant people who are more amenable to changing their attitudes toward vaccination. We discuss possible means of promoting vaccination in that target population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:50:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b0c9044ecf354ebcbac05d39f7a5cb5f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:50:46Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-b0c9044ecf354ebcbac05d39f7a5cb5f2022-12-22T00:06:43ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402018-04-0144e00609A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authorsTsuyoshi Okuhara0Hirono Ishikawa1Mio Kato2Masafumi Okada3Takahiro Kiuchi4Department of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; Corresponding author.School of Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, JapanDepartment of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, JapanDepartment of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, JapanDepartment of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, JapanBackground: Influenza vaccine coverage among the Japanese population is less than optimal. Anti-vaccination sentiment exists worldwide, and Japan is no exception. Anti-influenza vaccination activists argue on the internet that influenza vaccine has little or no efficacy and a high risk of side effects, and they warn that people should forgo vaccination. We conducted a qualitative analysis to explore beliefs underlying the messages of anti-influenza vaccination websites, by focusing on the perceived value these beliefs provide to those who hold them. Methods: We conducted online searches in January 2017 using two major Japanese search engines (Google Japan and Yahoo! Japan). Targeted websites were classified as “pro”, “anti”, or “neutral” depending on their claims. We applied a dual analytic approach—inductive thematic analysis and deductive interpretative analysis—to textual data of the anti websites. Results: Of the 113 anti websites, we identified two themes that correspond to beliefs: it is necessary to 1) protect others against risks and exploitation related to influenza vaccination, and 2) educate others about hidden truths and self-determination. Authors of anti websites ascribed two values (people's “safety” and one's own “self-esteem”) to their beliefs. Discussion: Website authors may engage in anti-vaccination activities because they want to feel they are virtuous, saving people from harm caused by vaccination, and to boost their self-esteem, thinking “I am enlightening uninformed people.” The anti-vaccination beliefs of website authors were considered to be strong. In promoting vaccination, it would be better not to target outright vaccine refusers, such as the authors of anti-vaccination websites; it is preferable to target vaccine-hesitant people who are more amenable to changing their attitudes toward vaccination. We discuss possible means of promoting vaccination in that target population.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844018305437PsychologyVaccinesInfectious diseaseEvidence-based medicine |
| spellingShingle | Tsuyoshi Okuhara Hirono Ishikawa Mio Kato Masafumi Okada Takahiro Kiuchi A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authors Heliyon Psychology Vaccines Infectious disease Evidence-based medicine |
| title | A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authors |
| title_full | A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authors |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authors |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authors |
| title_short | A qualitative analysis of the beliefs of Japanese anti-influenza vaccination website authors |
| title_sort | qualitative analysis of the beliefs of japanese anti influenza vaccination website authors |
| topic | Psychology Vaccines Infectious disease Evidence-based medicine |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844018305437 |
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