Perceptions related to human avian influenza and their associations with anticipated psychological and behavioral responses at the onset of outbreak in the Hong Kong Chinese general population.
BACKGROUND
Anticipated psychological responses and perceptions of risk have not been examined prior to the outbreak of an epidemic.


METHODS
Using a cross-sectional, telephone survey, 805 Chinese adults in Hong Kong were interviewed anonymously in November, 2005 to examine beliefs related to H5N1 avian influenza and anticipated responses.


RESULTS
Of respondents, 71.4% and 52.4%, respectively, believed that bird-to-human or human-to-human H5N1 transmission would occur in the next year. In the event of a bird-to-human or human-to-human outbreak in Hong Kong, many anticipated high fatality rates (70.5% and 74.4%, respectively), permanent physical damage (52.0% and 54.9%, respectively), inadequate vaccines (50.0% and 64.4%, respectively), insufficient medicine supplies (43.7% and 54.5%, respectively), inadequate hospital infection control (35.1% and 43.3%, respectively), high susceptibility of family members contracting H5N1 (13.9% and 24.3%, respectively), and impact on oneself/family worse than those of severe acute respiratory syndrome (21.2 and 25.0%, respectively). Most anticipated at least 1 of the 7 studied stress-related responses (e.g., panic) or the adoption of at least 1 of the 5 studied preventive behavioral measures (e.g., avoiding going out).


CONCLUSIONS
Panic and interruption of daily routines may occur in the event of a human avian influenza outbreak. Dissemination of accurate, timely information would reduce unnecessary distress and unwanted behaviors.
Lau
Joseph T F
JT
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
Kim
Jean H
JH
Tsui
Hiyi
H
Griffiths
Sian
S
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010200:Panic; D015980:Public Health Practice; D011639:Public Opinion; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D015047:Zoonoses