Communicating infectious disease prevalence through graphics: Results from an international survey

Angela Fagerlin; Thomas S Valley; Aaron M Scherer; Megan Knaus; Enny Das; Brian J Zikmund-Fisher

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.048

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Communicating infectious disease prevalence through graphics: Results from an international survey

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Communicating infectious disease prevalence through graphics: Results from an international survey

Angela Fagerlin, Thomas S Valley, Aaron M Scherer, Megan Knaus, Enny Das and Brian J Zikmund-Fisher

Vaccine, Vol.35(32), pp.4041-4047

07/13/2017

DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.048

PMCID: PMC5660609

PMID: 28647168

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Abstract

Graphics are increasingly used to represent the spread of infectious diseases (e.g., influenza, Zika, Ebola); however, the impact of using graphics to adequately inform the general population is unknown. To examine whether three ways of visually presenting data (heat map, dot map, or picto-trendline)-all depicting the same information regarding the spread of a hypothetical outbreak of influenza-influence intent to vaccinate, risk perception, and knowledge. Survey with participants randomized to receive a simulated news article accompanied by one of the three graphics that communicated prevalence of influenza and number of influenza-related deaths. International online survey. 16,510 adults living in 11 countries selected using stratified random sampling based on age and gender. After reading the article and viewing the presented graphic, participants completed a survey that measured interest in vaccination, perceived risk of contracting disease, knowledge gained, interest in additional information about the disease, and perception of the graphic. Heat maps and picto-trendlines were evaluated more positively than dot maps. Heat maps were more effective than picto-trendlines and no different from dot maps at increasing interest in vaccination, perceived risk of contracting disease, and interest in additional information about the disease. Heat maps and picto-trendlines were more successful at conveying knowledge than dot maps. Overall, heat maps were the only graphic to be superior in every outcome. Results are based on a hypothetical scenario. Heat maps are a viable option to promote interest in and concern about infectious diseases.

Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage

Prevalence

Humans

Middle Aged

Influenza, Human - epidemiology

Male

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Young Adult

Computer Graphics

Vaccination Coverage

Health Communication - methods

Aged, 80 and over

Adult

Female

Surveys and Questionnaires

Aged

Influenza, Human - prevention & control

Details

Title: Subtitle: Communicating infectious disease prevalence through graphics: Results from an international survey
Creators: Angela Fagerlin - Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Center for Informatics Decision Enhancement and Surveillance (IDEAS), Salt Lake City, UT, United States. Electronic address: angie.fagerlin@hsc.utah.edu
Thomas S Valley - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
Aaron M Scherer - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, United States
Megan Knaus - Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
Enny Das - Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Brian J Zikmund-Fisher - Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Vaccine, Vol.35(32), pp.4041-4047
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.048
PMID: 28647168
PMCID: PMC5660609
NLM abbreviation: Vaccine
ISSN: 0264-410X
eISSN: 1873-2518
Grant note: T32 HL007749 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 07/13/2017
Academic Unit: General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094547502771

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