Table 3 Survey questions and descriptive statistics
Sample | Mean (S.D.) |
|---|---|
Survey questions | |
Perceived scientific agreement | |
To the best of your knowledge, what % of medical scientists agree that vaccines are safe? (0–100 %). | 88.39 (11.41) |
Autism-vaccine link | |
To what extent do you agree with the following statement; “there is scientific evidence for a causal link between vaccines and autism” (1 = Completely Disagree – 7 = Completely Agree). | 2.43 (1.77) |
Risk perception / concern | |
How concerned are you about the potential risk of vaccines? (1 = I am not concerned at all, 7 = I am very concerned). | 3.06 (1.92) |
Public support index (Strongly Disagree = 1, Strongly Agree = 7). | 6.20 (1.24) |
I believe that vaccines are a safe and reliable way to avoid the spread of otherwise preventable diseases (M = 6.28, SD = 1.25). | |
I have already vaccinated my children or would do so if I had children (M = 6.29, SD = 1.52). | |
I would support policies that require people to vaccinate their children (M = 5.72, SD = 1.78). | |
I believe that the health benefits of vaccines outweigh the risk of any potential negative side effects (M = 6.19, SD = 1.41). | |
I believe that vaccines are important in maintaining and improving public health (M = 6.31, SD = 1.27). | |
In the interest of public health, parents should simply be required to vaccinate their children (M = 5.75, SD = 1.72). | |
More people ought to vaccinate themselves and their children (M = 6.20, SD = 1.48). | |
I believe that vaccine refusal poses a risk to public health (M = 6.02, SD = 1.62). | |