title: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to avian influenza in urban and rural areas of China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have revealed that visiting poultry markets and direct contact with sick or dead poultry are significant risk factors for H5N1 infection, the practices of which could possibly be influenced by people's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) associated with avian influenza (AI). To determine the KAPs associated with AI among the Chinese general population, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used standardized, structured questionnaires distributed in both an urban area (Shenzhen, Guangdong Province; n = 1,826) and a rural area (Xiuning, Anhui Province; n = 2,572) using the probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately three-quarters of participants in both groups requested more information about AI. The preferred source of information for both groups was television. Almost three-quarters of all participants were aware of AI as an infectious disease; the urban group was more aware that it could be transmitted through poultry, that it could be prevented, and was more familiar with the relationship between AI and human infection. The villagers in Xiuning were more concerned than Shenzhen residents about human AI viral infection. Regarding preventative measures, a higher percentage of the urban group used soap for hand washing whereas the rural group preferred water only. Almost half of the participants in both groups had continued to eat poultry after being informed about the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows a high degree of awareness of human AI in both urban and rural populations, and could provide scientific support to assist the Chinese government in developing strategies and health-education campaigns to prevent AI infection among the general population.
authors.affiliation: Office for Disease Control and Emergency Response, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Nijuan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Jiabing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shunxiang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Zhibin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Qiaohong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huai
authors.forename: Leilei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhangda
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xiaowen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Weike
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Xiaomin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hanwu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Jianhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.forename: Hongjie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011200:Poultry; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*