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  • Title: Influenza pandemic: perception of risk and individual precautions in a general population. Cross sectional study.
    Author: Kristiansen IS, Halvorsen PA, Gyrd-Hansen D.
    Journal: BMC Public Health; 2007 Apr 02; 7():48. PubMed ID: 17407563.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: An influenza pandemic may have considerable impact on health and societal functioning. The aim of this study was to explore people's reflections on the consequences of a pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional web-based survey of 1,168 Norwegians aged 16-82 years. The main outcome measures were answers to questions about a potential pandemic ("serious influenza epidemic"): statements about personal precautions including stockpiling Tamiflu, the perceived number of fatalities, the perceived effects of Tamiflu, the sources of information about influenza and trust in public information. RESULTS: While 80% of the respondents stated that they would be "careful about personal hygiene", only a few would stay away from work (2%), or move to an isolated place (4%). While 27% of respondents were uncertain about the number of fatalities during an influenza pandemic, 48% thought it would be lower than the estimate of Norwegian health authorities (0.05%-1%) and only 3% higher. At least half of the respondents thought that Tamiflu might reduce the mortality risk, but less than 1% had personally purchased the drug. The great majority had received their information from the mass media, and only 9% directly from health authorities. Still the majority (65%) trusted information from the authorities, and only 9% reported overt distrust. CONCLUSION: In Norway, considerable proportions of people seem to consider the mortality risk during a pandemic less than health authorities do. Most people seem to be prepared to take some, but not especially disruptive, precautions.
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