SARS risk perceptions in healthcare workers, Japan.
In coping with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), infection control measures are a key aspect of protecting healthcare workers. We conducted a survey concerning perception of risk and countermeasures for SARS in 7 tertiary hospitals in Japan from July through September 2003, immediately after the SARS epidemic in neighboring countries. Based on 7,282 respondents out of 9,978 questionnaires administered, we found the perception of risk to be relatively high and the perception of countermeasures at the institutional level to be relatively low. Knowledge of preventive measures, concept of (opinions regarding) institutional measures, and perception of risk differed substantially among the 3 job categories, notably between physicians and nurses. The concept of institutional measures was the most important predictor of individual perception of risk. In view of the potential for future epidemics, planning and implementing institutional measures should be given a high priority.
Imai
Teppei
T
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Takahashi
Ken
K
Hasegawa
Naoki
N
Lim
Meng-Kin
MK
Koh
David
D
D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012306:Risk; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires