title: Bioterrorism risk perceptions and educational needs of public health professionals before and after September 11, 2001: a national needs assessment survey.
abstract: The study objectives were to compare local public health professionals' bioterrorism risk perceptions, the extent of bioterrorism preparedness training, and to describe preferred methods for delivery of preparedness education in the United States. National needs assessments were conducted via a mailed survey to 3,074 local public health departments in October 2000 and November 2001. Compared to a survey conducted in October 2000, the perceived risk of a bioterrorism attack in the United States increased dramatically after September 11 (p < 0.0001); however, 57% of respondents believed one was unlikely to occur within their own community. Public health professionals perceive their own communities to be at low risk for a bioterrorism event. Ongoing, updated, standardized bioterrorism preparedness education is needed.
authors.affiliation: Centers for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Suite 355, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. shadebn@slu.edu
authors.forename: Brooke N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Shadel
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ryan W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Newkirk
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clements
authors.forename: R Gregory
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D023482:Bioterrorism; D003625:Data Collection; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006302:Health Services Research; D009111:Local Government; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce