The dynamics of risk perceptions and precautionary behavior in response to 2009 (H1N1) pandemic influenza - PubMed (original) (raw)

The dynamics of risk perceptions and precautionary behavior in response to 2009 (H1N1) pandemic influenza

Yoko Ibuka et al. BMC Infect Dis. 2010.

Abstract

Background: The trajectory of an infectious disease outbreak is affected by the behavior of individuals, and the behavior is often related to individuals' risk perception. We assessed temporal changes and geographical differences in risk perceptions and precautionary behaviors in response to H1N1 influenza.

Methods: 1,290 US adults completed an online survey on risk perceptions, interests in pharmaceutical interventions (preventive intervention and curative intervention), and engagement in precautionary activities (information seeking activities and taking quarantine measures) in response to H1N1 influenza between April 28 and May 27 2009. Associations of risk perceptions and precautionary behaviors with respondents' sex, age, and household size were analyzed. Linear and quadratic time trends were assessed by regression analyses. Geographic differences in risk perception and precautionary behaviors were evaluated. Predictors of willingness to take pharmaceutical intervention were analyzed.

Results: Respondents from larger households reported stronger interest in taking medications and engaged in more precautionary activities, as would be normatively predicted. Perceived risk increased over time, whereas interest in pharmaceutical preventive interventions and the engagement in some precautionary activities decreased over time. Respondents who live in states with higher H1N1 incidence per population perceived a higher likelihood of influenza infection, but did not express greater interests in pharmaceutical interventions, nor did they engage in a higher degree of precautionary activities. Perceived likelihood of influenza infection, willingness to take medications and engagement in information seeking activities were higher for women than men.

Conclusions: Perceived risk of infection and precautionary behavior can be dynamic in time, and differ by demographic characteristics and geographical locations. These patterns will likely influence the effectiveness of disease control measures.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Dynamics of H1N1-related risk perceptions and H1N1 confirmed cases, April 28 - May 26 2009. The lines show the mean score of perceived risk scale, the proportion of respondents who predicted over 1000 deaths, and the cumulative H1N1 cases. Sources for H1N1 cases: CDC [14].

Figure 2

Figure 2

Dynamics of willingness to accept pharmaceutical intervention and number of newspaper articles on influenza, April 28 - May 26 2009. (A) Proportion of respondents interested in receiving pharmaceuticul interveniton and the number of newspaper articles. The lines show the proportion of those interested in preventive intervention, the proportion of those interested in curative intervention, and the number of newspaper articles. For the source of the number of newspaper articles, see text. (B) Mean scores of willingness to pay scale and the number of newspaper articles. The lines show the mean score of WTP scale for preventive intervention, the mean score of WTP scale for curative intervention, and the number of newspaper articles. For the source of the number of newspaper articles, see text.

Figure 3

Figure 3

Dynamics of engagement in precautionary activities and number of newspaper articles on influenza, April 28 - May 26 2009. The lines show the proportion of respondents who engaged in information seeking activities, the proportion of respondents who took quarantine measures, and the number of newspaper articles. For the source of the number of newspaper articles, see text.

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