The Effect of Fact Versus Myth Messages on Receipt of Influenza Vaccination

The primary outcome is receipt of influenza vaccination at appointment directly following the post-test. A pre-test was completed by participants during a telephone interview that occurred approximately two weeks prior to a scheduled clinic appointment. The post-test was completed via an in-person interview by participants immediately prior to their scheduled appointment. That is, the participants met with the Research Assistant, completed the post-test, and then proceeded to see their physician for a previously scheduled office visit.

Participants were given 8 statements about the flu/flu shot and asked to recall if they had seen the statement on the message they received via FedEx. Participants responded that statement had been "presented as a fact," "presented as a myth," "presented, but I don't recall if it was a fact or a myth," or "not presented." Participants scored 1 for each correct answer; 0 for each incorrect answer or for response "I don't recall." Recall accuracy was calculated among each message format, range for recall accuracy was 0 - 8 with 0 indicating no correct answers and 8 representing 100% accuracy. Thus units of measurement are "units on a scale" to represent participant scores out of 8 on the recall items.