Communication channels Print information Most pregnancy-related information provided by LMCs, general practices and antenatal educators to pregnant women is in print format (pamphlets, fact sheets and posters), and pregnant women feel overwhelmed by the amount of print material they receive. There is a general feeling amongst pregnant women that reaching them with pregnancy and health information almost exclusively through print is an outmoded form of communication. While some women (particularly Pākehā women pregnant with their first child) read most of what they receive, other women are more selective over what they read, and women who have low English literacy read little of the information they receive. Most Māori and Pacific pregnant women feel particularly overloaded with the amount of written information they receive. Online information and social media Most women are accessing information online to support and complement the verbal information they receive from their LMC or in place of pamphlets. They are also using social media for pregnancy and child-related health information. For Māori and Pacific women in particular, social media is a less intimidating channel for receiving information and asking questions, and provides an opportunity for receiving and sharing information in more interactive ways (e.g. photos, videos, and stories). Some of these women lack trust in public health information, or immunisation advice given to them by LMCs and general practices, and have a history of poor experience of maternity and health services. Women who use this channel note that the perspective is strong while the perspective is silent. ‘anti-immunisation’ ‘pro-immunisation’ wouldn’t read it [a pamphlet]. I don’t want to read it now. If I was handed this It would go ‘I – in the car and I wouldn’t read it. Why don’t they make a YouTube video? Everyone watches YouTube.’ (Māori, Canterbury) you make your own channel about immunisations, you can see it. Instant. Quick fix. ‘If Facebook and YouTube and Snapchat. On demand. I would tag all my pregnant friends.’ (Māori, Canterbury) Facebook I’ve seen a lot of stuff on certain sites; a lot of controversy that immunising your ‘On kids and adults is not good.’ (Pākehā, Mid Central)
Communication channels Print information Most pregnancy-related information provided by LMCs, general practices and antenatal educators to pregnant women is in print format (pamphlets, fact sheets and posters), and pregnant women feel overwhelmed by the amount of print material they receive. There is a general feeling amongst pregnant women that reaching them with pregnancy and health information almost exclusively through print is an outmoded form of communication. While some women (particularly Pākehā women pregnant with their first child) read most of what they receive, other women are more selective over what they read, and women who have low English literacy read little of the information they receive. Most Māori and Pacific pregnant women feel particularly overloaded with the amount of written information they receive. Online information and social media Most women are accessing information online to support and complement the verbal information they receive from their LMC or in place of pamphlets. They are also using social media for pregnancy and child-related health information. For Māori and Pacific women in particular, social media is a less intimidating channel for receiving information and asking questions, and provides an opportunity for receiving and sharing information in more interactive ways (e.g. photos, videos, and stories). Some of these women lack trust in public health information, or immunisation advice given to them by LMCs and general practices, and have a history of poor experience of maternity and health services. Women who use this channel note that the ‘anti-immunisation’ perspective is strong while the ‘pro-immunisation’ perspective is silent. ‘I wouldn’t read it [a pamphlet]. I don’t want to read it now. If I was handed this – It would go in the car and I wouldn’t read it. Why don’t they make a YouTube video? Everyone watches YouTube.’ (Māori, Canterbury) ‘If you make your own channel about immunisations, you can see it. Instant. Quick fix. Facebook and YouTube and Snapchat. On demand. I would tag all my pregnant friends.’ (Māori, Canterbury) ‘On Facebook I’ve seen a lot of stuff on certain sites; a lot of controversy that immunising your kids and adults is not good.’ (Pākehā, Mid Central)