Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
contemporary research into risk perception
contemporary research into risk perception
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: contemporary research into risk perception
A generation ago there was overwhelming support for inoculating against Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD). In the mid-20th Century VPD’s, such as measles and polio, had annual mortality rates in the tens of thousands (Gussman, 2009; Larson, Brocard Paterson & Erondu, 2012). Yet, today differing perceptions of the risks of immunisations has led to an increased number of individuals opting out of scheduled vaccinations. This assignment will investigate the different risk perceptions that are associated with childhood immunisation through the use of risk perception literature. Secondly, risk communication literature will be examined to identify ways in which authorities can effectively engage in risk communication with the general public, specifically about VCD’s with the aim of improving immunisation rates and therefore herd immunity.
Risk perception has been extensively examined since the 1970’s and continues to be a focal point of modern literature within the field of risk management. Risk perception is defined as the “probability of an adverse outcome, or a factor that raises this probability” (Larson et al., 2012, p.1054). Within the context of immunisations, risk perception is explained in terms of an individual’s perception of the chance of harm occurring if vaccinations are not administered (Weinstein, Kwitel, McCaul, Magnan, Gerrard & Gibbons, 2007). Scholars have identified several theories, based on psychological and social determinants, to help explain why there are differences in how individuals perceive the same risk (Roeser, Hillerbrand, Sandin & Peterson, 2013). Theories related to psychological determinants, such as the Dual Process Theory (DPT) and Health Belief Model (HBM), are widely supported and consequently...
... middle of paper ...
...., Al-Qazaz, H. K, Salih, M., Jamshed, S. Q., & Elkalmi, R. M. (2014). Are parents' knowledge and practice regarding immunization related to pediatrics’ immunization compliance? a mixed method study. BMC Pediatrics, 14(20), 1-7. doi:10.1186/1471-2431-14-20
Roeser, S., Hillerbrand. R,. Sandin, P., & Peterson, M. (2013). Essentials of Risk Theory. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-5455-3_1
Vannice, K. S., Salmon, D. A., Shui, I., Omer, S. B., Kissner, J., Edwards, K. M., ...Gust, D. A. (2011). Attitudes and beliefs of parents concerned about vaccines: Impact of timing of immunization information. Pediatrics, 121, S120-S126. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1722R
Weinstein, N. D., Kwitel, A., McCaul, K. D., Magnan, R. E., Gerrard, M., & Gibbons, F. X. (2007). Risk perceptions: Assessment and relationship to influenza vaccine. Health Psycology, 26(2), 146-151. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.26.2.146
This fear was the reason the authors explained the creation of vaccines early on. At this point, the authors again used fear in an attempt to convince readers/parents to ignore these warnings. The authors placed blame directly on those spreading negative propaganda, as well as those who accepted it as fact by stating, “such warnings, if widely heeded, raise the specter of widespread refusal to practice vaccination, thus putting the wider society at risk” (Lee, Carson-Dewitt, 2016, p.2). This directed blame seems to claim that every unvaccinated child puts all members of society at risk, without considering evidence of how an individual’s choice to vaccinate one’s self would offer protection in any
For the longest time, people have assumed that if they get a vaccine, they are completely safe from that illness. However, “a person who has been vaccinated has no guarantee that he will not contract the disease, and chances are, if he does, it will be at a later age when the consequences are much more serious” (Hamdan). Vaccines do not always accomplish what they claim to. If people realized that getting a vaccine does not guarantee them immunization from a particular disease that would be a major step in furthering the education about vaccines. There have been many cases where vaccines have been administered, but the disease remains. For insta...
In the article,” Childhood Immunization Controversies: What are Parents Asking?” Dr. Daniel R. Bronfin gives s thorough history and current evaluation of child immunizations. Dr. Bronfin breaks down several different childhood immunizations from Smallpox to measles. During his break down of each of the common diseases, he gives a history, how they developed a vaccine, and how the effects of the vaccine is currently working. Dr. Bronfin wrote this article to educate parents to the benefits of immunization.
This article focus on a document publishes in the Canadian Paediatric Society website, which can help council hesitant parent that refuse to vaccine their children due to safety concern. This article use research information and premeditated steps to exemplify the issue surrounding the use of vaccine on children. Research shows that health care provider has a major influence on parental decision. In addition, Doctors should take into consideration and understand parent’s specific concern, by taking the time to explain the evidence so the hesitant parents will have a better understanding and this will determine whether a child get immunize. The information that present in the article comes from the “CPS” Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee, which is research and educational source. This article provide a clear information on what can happen if a child is not vaccinate, due to the facts that parents believe if their child is healthy and strong that they will disease free. However, most parents based their information on what they heard on the media and internet for example, that vaccine cause autism, there is no prove that it does, however things like that will make any parents not want to vaccine their child. There are consequences of a parent not having their child. In Ontario if a child is not immunize they are, not allowed in the school system, this is due to the risk that may occur. For example, a child who is vaccine, but may have a low immune system will mostly like catch whatever disease or bacteria when he encounters that specific chi...
18. Salmon, Daniel A. and Saad B. Omer, ‘Individual freedoms versus collective responsibility:immunization decision-making in the face of occasionally competing values’, Emerging Themes Epid, 3 (2006):
Childhood vaccinations have replaced common childhood illness as a “rite of passage” for many young children. Many parents, at the recommendation of their physician, diligently bring their children to the doctor every couple of months for what are thought to be important and safe vaccinations. Many parents are lead to believe that vaccinating their children, albeit the so-called slight risks associated with vaccines, is the responsible thing to do for the sake of the common good, which includes their child’s safety, as well as the safety of the community. But are parents made aware of some of the ingredients in these so-called safe vaccines and the inherent risks of the ingredients? Are parents aware of the protection the United States government offers to vaccine manufacturers and those who recommend and administer the vaccines? Do parents realize that their child just might be a sacrificial lamb?
Vaccination is one the greatest achievements of public health which led to a marked decline in the rate of infectious diseases in the 19th century. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 1999) However, currently a growing number of parents are in doubt regarding the safety of vaccines and the necessity to follow the recommended vaccination schedule for their children, resulting in many parents following an alternative schedule of vaccination or complete refusal of vaccination. (Dempsey et al., 2011)
“Childhood vaccines not only have personal benefits, but for entire communities and the future of public health” (Espejo 1). If a child goes without immunization, then he or she is also putting others at risk. Most parents do not consider all of the options and effects that come along with not having their child vaccinated. Many are quick to reject because of the possible side effects and harm it could cause. However, nothing in today’s world is completely harmless. An adult can easily be in a danger at work, while the child is in danger of disease at daycare. That is why it is completely necessary to vaccinate. By doing this, family, friends, and others are being protected as well (Allen 71). “There are also children who cannot get certain vaccines for medical or other reasons, and those who are too young to be vaccinated. These children have no protection if they are exposed to someone who is infected with a communicable disease” (Espejo 4). Commonly, this is not thought
Many parents do not want to get their children vaccinated because they are harmful to children, but vaccinations are not as harmful as they think. Parents should have to have their children vaccinated because there are less diseases now since the use of vaccinations, other people that can’t get vaccinated won’t contract any infectious diseases and there are less problems caused from being vaccinated than non-vaccinated. Vaccinations have proven to be useful time and time
Vaccines are very effective in defending children from infectious disease. Although there has been tremendous success in achieving population based childhood immunization programs, more and more parents have chosen to delay the registration or even refuse to vaccinate their children at all (Diekema, 2012, p. 391). People are starting to challenge the necessity, safety and tolerability of vaccinations because the public attention has been diverted from the decreasing incidence of disease to the ambiguous risks of side effects of vaccines (Heininger, 2009, G9). Despite its outstanding performance in preventing diseases, maintaining high level of vaccination coverage needs public understanding as well, particularly the acceptance of parents
Many people are cautious when considering vaccinations since one's health is important. People are hesitant to receive vaccines because they believe that they do not have enough information on the
Vaccines are much safer than people make them out to be; it is the easiest way to avoid future health problems. People become so suspicious and apprehensive about vaccines because they are not educated about the real facts. Before parents or individuals decide on whether or not to administer vaccines, that person should be sure to do research. One needs to make an educated decision and not a blind opinion on the crucial subject of vaccinations. The US Department of Health and Human Services states, “Vaccines are some of the safest medical products available,” (Pro & Con Arguments: "Should Any Vaccines Be Required for Children?"). Social media has a tendency to over exaggerate negative cases against the benefits of vaccines, which influences people to oppose immunization. It is essential for people to be informed of all viewpoints when determining their future
Vaccines are becoming increasingly hazardous for many children and parents are not being informed about the safety of their children. Current reports are linking vaccines to serious life-threatening disorders such as asthma, autism, immune system dysfunction, and mental retardation (Williams). These recent revelations are causing an increasing amount of people to claim religious and medical exemptions from vaccines. From 1999 to 2006, exemptions have more than doubled from 9,722 to 24,919 (Cronin). It is very clear that vaccinations are posing many problems for parents everywhere. Each day researchers are finding out about vaccines and are realizing that there are a lot more risks than benefits. Dr Phillip F. Incao explains: “Today, far more children suffer from allergies and other chronic immune system disorders than from life-threatening infectious disease. It is neither reasonable nor prudent to persist in presuming that the benefits of any vaccination outweigh its risk” (qtd in Spaker). While infectious diseases are becoming uncommon there is no need for any person to get vaccinated.
... Tarrant and Thomson (2008), parents readily admitted that they had knowledge discrepancies in regards to childhood vaccines but believed that the benefits of immunization overshadowed any risks that might be present. The biggest source of information for these parents was family members and peers. Along with this information wide-ranging public health programs and mandatory vaccination requirements for school entry made certain that childhood immunization recommendations were followed.
According to World Book Advanced Encyclopedia, immunization is defined as the process of protecting the body against disease by means of vaccines or serums (Hinman). While medical science backs up the efficiency and necessity of vaccines, within the past decade, a rise in parents disbelieving the medical community and neglecting to immunize their children has occurred. This “fear of vaccines” is nothing new, but with the ever-increasing safety of vaccines, the benefits of inoculation far outweigh the risks. Parents who refuse to vaccinate, or anti-vaxxers, put more than their children’s lives on the line, but also risk the safety of the whole community. Because vaccines are essential to protecting individuals and communities