Fertility concerns and COVID-19 Vaccines: Community-informed infographic design in urban Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Main Article Content

Elizabeth Vernon-Wilson
Rand Hussein
Moses Tetui
Adrian Poon
Nancy Waite
Brianna Wiens
Shana MacDonald
Kelly Grindrod

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy, including concerns about possible fertility side-effects, caused delay in the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada and elsewhere. One way of tackling vaccine hesitancy is the use of infographics that explain key issues and address concerns. The aim of this study was to explore the collaborative process of rapidly developing an infographic that was informed by community feedback and tailored to address fertility concerns during urgent COVID-19 pandemic conditions.


Methods: A survey promoted through social media and focus group discussion with community contacts were used to iteratively consult target audiences and gather feedback on interpretation of the infographic’s content and meaning. Survey results were analysed using descriptive methods. A focus group discussion was analysed using inductive thematic and sentiment analysis. Feedback guided infographic development.


Results: A draft infographic and survey were shared online. 33 of 37 survey respondents expressed that they trusted the information provided in infographics. Survey respondents and focus group participants both wanted simple language and additional information to address concerns about the long-term effect of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility. Opinions indicated that more effort was needed to address varying levels of health literacy within communities. There was conflicting feedback on whether use of inclusive language by removing gender labels and focusing on biology, was helpful or confusing.


Conclusions: This study shows public feedback can help tailor content and design of vaccine confidence building tools making them more accessible to the general population. In addition, efforts to resolve specific concerns can be augmented by modifying and/or creating different versions of infographics.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Vernon-Wilson E, Hussein R, Tetui M, Poon A, Waite N, Wiens B, MacDonald S, Grindrod K. Fertility concerns and COVID-19 Vaccines: Community-informed infographic design in urban Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. J Community Syst Health [Internet]. 2024 Oct. 1 [cited 2024 Oct. 3];1(1). Available from: https://journals.ub.umu.se/index.php/jcsh/article/view/1041
Section
Original research
Author Biographies

Moses Tetui, University of Waterloo, School of Public Health Sciences; Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

Assistant Professor, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

 

2nd affiliation

Associate professor at Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Sweden

Nancy Waite, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo

Brianna Wiens, Department of English Language and Literature, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Assistant Professor, Department of English Language & Literature, University of Waterloo

Shana MacDonald, Department of Communication Arts, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Associate Professor, Department of Communication Arts, University of Waterloo

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