The effect of health communications on a statewide West Nile Virus public health education campaign.
OBJECTIVE
To determine knowledge, behavior, and attitude among Kansas residents exposed to a statewide West Nile Virus health education campaign.


METHODS
Telephone survey employing random selection of urban and rural counties and telephone numbers.


RESULTS
Knowledge was widespread, preventive behaviors less so. TV, newspapers, and word-of-mouth were most frequently cited sources of information. A small percentage of individuals received information from health professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations are made for designing and implementing future campaigns, including taking into account target population demographics, populations at highest risk, and channels of communication. Greater use of the Internet, word of mouth, and newspapers appear most promising.
Fox
Michael H
MH
Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, 66160, USA. mfox2@kumc.edu
Averett
Ellen
E
Hansen
Gail
G
Neuberger
John S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D007615:Kansas; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000517:prevention & control*