The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional study
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of health literacy, where pre- service Life Sciences teachers can promote safe behavioral practices such as vaccination. However, the health information sources influencing their behavioral intentions toward vaccination are poorly unders...
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| Language: | English |
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Edizioni FS
2024-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health and Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://journalhss.com/wp-content/uploads/JHSS_THMP5.pdf |
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| author | Lindelani MNGUNI Moleboheng RAMULUMO |
| author_facet | Lindelani MNGUNI Moleboheng RAMULUMO |
| author_sort | Lindelani MNGUNI |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of health literacy, where pre- service Life Sciences teachers can promote safe behavioral practices such as vaccination. However, the health information sources influencing their behavioral intentions toward vaccination are poorly understood. This study examines how different sources impact vaccination attitudes and behaviors
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving pre-service Life Sciences teachers (n = 87) from a South African university. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire to explore the types of information sources they use and how these sources influence their attitudes, subjective norms,
and perceived behavioral control related to COVID-19 vaccination.
Results: Participants utilized a diverse array of information sources, including government communiques, traditional media, social media, research publications, and personal interactions. Although the susceptibility to misinformation from unreliable sources such as social media was identified, participants' scientific training served as a buffer against such misinformation. Notably, the
type of information source did not significantly predict subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. However, information sources significantly influenced attitudes and normative beliefs toward
vaccination.
Discussion: The study underscores the complex relationship between information sources, cognitive processes, and behavioral intentions in the context of health literacy among pre-service Life Sciences teachers. The findings suggest that while their scientific background provides a defense against misinformation, targeted strategies are essential to ensure the reliability and validity of information. Further research is warranted to understand additional factors influencing this demographic's vaccination intentions and to inform more effective health literacy initiatives. This research bears
significant implications for public health communication strategies, particularly in a pandemic. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ac8b28da48046b6b8dd6622ef4ab2c3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2499-2240 2499-5886 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | Edizioni FS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health and Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ac8b28da48046b6b8dd6622ef4ab2c32025-01-31T10:50:09ZengEdizioni FSJournal of Health and Social Sciences2499-22402499-58862024-06-0192235250The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional studyLindelani MNGUNI0Moleboheng RAMULUMO1Centre for Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. E-mail: lindelani.mnguni@wits.ac.zaDepartment of Science & Technology Education, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. E-mail: ramulmm@unisa.ac.zaIntroduction: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of health literacy, where pre- service Life Sciences teachers can promote safe behavioral practices such as vaccination. However, the health information sources influencing their behavioral intentions toward vaccination are poorly understood. This study examines how different sources impact vaccination attitudes and behaviors Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving pre-service Life Sciences teachers (n = 87) from a South African university. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire to explore the types of information sources they use and how these sources influence their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control related to COVID-19 vaccination. Results: Participants utilized a diverse array of information sources, including government communiques, traditional media, social media, research publications, and personal interactions. Although the susceptibility to misinformation from unreliable sources such as social media was identified, participants' scientific training served as a buffer against such misinformation. Notably, the type of information source did not significantly predict subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. However, information sources significantly influenced attitudes and normative beliefs toward vaccination. Discussion: The study underscores the complex relationship between information sources, cognitive processes, and behavioral intentions in the context of health literacy among pre-service Life Sciences teachers. The findings suggest that while their scientific background provides a defense against misinformation, targeted strategies are essential to ensure the reliability and validity of information. Further research is warranted to understand additional factors influencing this demographic's vaccination intentions and to inform more effective health literacy initiatives. This research bears significant implications for public health communication strategies, particularly in a pandemic.https://journalhss.com/wp-content/uploads/JHSS_THMP5.pdfbehavioural intentionscovid-19 vaccinationhealth literacyinformation sourcespre-service life sciences teachers |
| spellingShingle | Lindelani MNGUNI Moleboheng RAMULUMO The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional study Journal of Health and Social Sciences behavioural intentions covid-19 vaccination health literacy information sources pre-service life sciences teachers |
| title | The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full | The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional study |
| title_short | The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among pre-service life sciences teachers in South Africa: A cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | impact of information sources on covid 19 vaccination intentions among pre service life sciences teachers in south africa a cross sectional study |
| topic | behavioural intentions covid-19 vaccination health literacy information sources pre-service life sciences teachers |
| url | https://journalhss.com/wp-content/uploads/JHSS_THMP5.pdf |
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