title: Acute respiratory illness and health-seeking behavior in Egyptian villages: enhancing pandemic preparedness by understanding local realities.
abstract: The emergence of influenza viruses has raised awareness worldwide about influenza pandemic risks. Pandemic preparedness emphasizes development of risk communication and surveillance systems. The objective was to explore community classification of Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) and health-seeking behaviors. Twenty in-depth interviews and 18 focus group discussions were conducted with caretakers in Egypt. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the thematic analysis. ARI terminology contained few terms, usage of them was complex, and microorganism not part of illness explanation. Severe ARI was associated with social stigma. Homecare included extensive use of medications. In mild and severe ARI, health-seeking determinants varied. Classification of ARI parallels World Health Organization case definitions for ARI, facilitating risk communication. Homecare practices are social norms that can be expanded to include messages on ARI. Risk communication strategies and surveillance systems need to consider socio-cultural understanding of ARI.
authors.affiliation: U.S Naval Medical Research Unit # 3, Cairo, Egypt. anna.lohiniva.ctr.fi@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lohiniva
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talaat
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dueger
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abokela
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genedy
authors.forename: Amr Kandeel
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Nasr
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El-Sayed
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D054521:Cultural Competency; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D058873:Pandemics; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011287:Prejudice; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012424:Rural Population; D012720:Severity of Illness Index