title: Attitudes and perceptions of urban African Americans of a "dirty bomb" radiological terror event: results of a qualitative study and implications for effective risk communication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiological terror presents a real threat, but little is known about how low-income, urban African Americans may respond to such threats. The aim of this study was to understand the unique challenges of this group and to explore their knowledge of what a "dirty bomb" is, their intended behaviors should one occur, and their barriers to complying with "shelter in place" recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven 18-65-year-olds who were users of community centers in disadvantaged areas participated in 3 focus groups in Philadelphia. Results were analyzed by using the Krueger method of analyzing narrative text.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The responses highlighted little knowledge or concern about a dirty bomb. Lack of trust in local authorities was expressed, with participants indicating that they did not feel their needs were addressed. While shelter in place was understood, most said they would still check on family or talk with others to get the "whole truth" because the most trusted information sources were neighbors and community leaders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that a risk communication intervention for urban minorities may support desirable behaviors in the event of a dirty bomb, but successful communication will require establishing a local leader as a spokesperson to convince people of the importance of sheltering in place.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health,Temple University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Sarah Bauerle
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health,Temple University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Judith R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Greener
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Health Services,St. Joseph's University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ruggieri
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences,University of the Sciences,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parvanta
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health,Temple University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health,Temple University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wolak
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health,Temple University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Normile
authors.affiliation: 4Department of Psychology,University of Massachusetts-Lowell,Lowell,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D003142:Communication; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054043:Nuclear Weapons; D010465:Perception; D015143:Philadelphia; D011203:Poverty; D036301:Qualitative Research; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: shelter in place