Dure Samin Akram, Sobia Taj, Muhammad Bilal Siddiqui.
Effect of Electronic and Social Media Messages on Typhoid Conjugate Vaccination Campaign.
Pak Paed J Jan ;45(2):233-8.

Objective: To evaluate the role of electronic and social media in disseminating information to caregivers regarding a recent typhoid vaccination campaign. Study Design: Cross-sectional, quantitative survey. Place and Duration of Study: Karachi, between January - February, 2020. Material and Methods: Interviews of 403 parents of children between 9 months to 15 years, receiving TCV vaccine in Karachi, were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Information was obtained regarding channels of information for the campaign focusing on electronic and social media messages and their effect on the uptake of vaccination. The most frequent medium of communication was also ascertained. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 21. Results: Ninety six percent of respondents received campaign information and 80% got their children vaccinated. Frequency of messages received were from schools (51%), television (30%), WhatsApp (20%) and Face book (8.7%). Electronic media had a positive impact on decision making (p>0.0001).Social media messages by private groups, were also statistically significant in influencing decision making (p>0.0001). Certain visual messages propagated by unofficial sources on WhatsApp, produced uncertainty. Government sponsored social media messages were only generated as a reaction to anti-vaccine videos. Conclusion: Government should do proactive advocacy using social media for fast, effective dissemination of messages and demand generation during health and vaccination campaigns.

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