Pandemic influenza and community preparedness.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine community knowledge about and attitudes toward the threat of pandemic influenza and assess the community acceptability of strategies to reduce its effect.


METHODS
We conducted computer-aided telephone interviews in 2007 with a cross-sectional sample of rural and metropolitan residents of South Australia.


RESULTS
Of 1975 households interviewed, half (50.2%) had never heard of pandemic influenza or were unaware of its meaning. Only 10% of respondents were extremely concerned about the threat of pandemic influenza. Respondents identified children as the highest priority for vaccination, if supplies were limited; they ranked politicians and teachers as the lowest priority. Although only 61.7% of respondents agreed with a policy of home isolation, 98.2% agreed if it was part of a national strategy. Respondents considered television to be the best means of educating the community.


CONCLUSIONS
s. Community knowledge about pandemic influenza is poor despite widespread concern. Public education about pandemic influenza is essential if strategies to reduce the impact of the disease are to be effective.
Paediatric Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide, South Australia. helen.marshall@adelaide.edu.au
Helen
H
Marshall
Philip
P
Ryan
Don
D
Roberton
Jackie
J
Street
Maureen
M
Watson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult