Perception, attitudes and knowledge regarding the 2009 swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic among health-care workers in Australia
Perception, attitudes and knowledge regarding the 2009 swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic among health-care workers in Australia
Aim: To determine the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of Australian health-care workers (HCWs) regarding the novel, swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV) outbreak that reached the country in early May 2009.
Methods: Self-administered, anonymous Web-based survey conducted during the early stages of the S-OIV pandemic. Participants comprised hospital- and community-based medical and nursing staff, medical students, allied health professionals, laboratory staff and administrative personnel.
Results: Of the 947 participants surveyed, 59.4% were not convinced that Australia was sufficiently prepared for an influenza pandemic. Only 17.6% of the participants stated they were prepared to work unconditionally during a pandemic; 36.5% stated they would work if they had access to antiviral treatment; 27.9% would if provided with antiviral prophylaxis; and 7.5% would refuse to work. In addition, 37.5% of the participants responded they would refuse or avoid being involved in screening suspected cases. A total of 47.7% admitted to possessing a personal supply of antivirals or having considered this option. Only 48.0% provided a realistic estimate of the mortality associated with an influenza pandemic at a population level. HCWs overestimating the mortality risk and HCWs believing the efficacy of antiviral prophylaxis to be low were significantly less likely to be prepared to work (P= 0.04 and P= 0.0004, respectively).
Conclusions: To ensure adequate staffing during an influenza pandemic, preparedness plans should anticipate significant levels of absenteeism by choice. Interventions aimed at increasing staff retention during a pandemic require further evaluation.
673-679
Tebruegge, Marc
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Pantazidou, Aanastasia
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Ritz, Nicole
ce6604a1-f373-4d76-838a-1ae75f35b20b
Connell, Tom
7c1afb37-45bd-44a3-a274-20839e68f2c3
Bryant, Penelope
c2d90b48-a436-4457-9a05-eb03de373f5e
Donath, Susan
b1bb69fe-e708-4ec5-b98a-6bdab36e71b1
Curtis, Nigel
60e08f70-7ce9-42b3-8074-d5df55131b12
November 2010
Tebruegge, Marc
2c3dff22-0b5f-48a7-bb36-ce323705f74a
Pantazidou, Aanastasia
77679410-fde8-4e10-ab32-9927745d6b49
Ritz, Nicole
ce6604a1-f373-4d76-838a-1ae75f35b20b
Connell, Tom
7c1afb37-45bd-44a3-a274-20839e68f2c3
Bryant, Penelope
c2d90b48-a436-4457-9a05-eb03de373f5e
Donath, Susan
b1bb69fe-e708-4ec5-b98a-6bdab36e71b1
Curtis, Nigel
60e08f70-7ce9-42b3-8074-d5df55131b12
Tebruegge, Marc, Pantazidou, Aanastasia, Ritz, Nicole, Connell, Tom, Bryant, Penelope, Donath, Susan and Curtis, Nigel
(2010)
Perception, attitudes and knowledge regarding the 2009 swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic among health-care workers in Australia.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 46 (11), .
(doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01820.x).
(PMID:20796180)
Abstract
Aim: To determine the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of Australian health-care workers (HCWs) regarding the novel, swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV) outbreak that reached the country in early May 2009.
Methods: Self-administered, anonymous Web-based survey conducted during the early stages of the S-OIV pandemic. Participants comprised hospital- and community-based medical and nursing staff, medical students, allied health professionals, laboratory staff and administrative personnel.
Results: Of the 947 participants surveyed, 59.4% were not convinced that Australia was sufficiently prepared for an influenza pandemic. Only 17.6% of the participants stated they were prepared to work unconditionally during a pandemic; 36.5% stated they would work if they had access to antiviral treatment; 27.9% would if provided with antiviral prophylaxis; and 7.5% would refuse to work. In addition, 37.5% of the participants responded they would refuse or avoid being involved in screening suspected cases. A total of 47.7% admitted to possessing a personal supply of antivirals or having considered this option. Only 48.0% provided a realistic estimate of the mortality associated with an influenza pandemic at a population level. HCWs overestimating the mortality risk and HCWs believing the efficacy of antiviral prophylaxis to be low were significantly less likely to be prepared to work (P= 0.04 and P= 0.0004, respectively).
Conclusions: To ensure adequate staffing during an influenza pandemic, preparedness plans should anticipate significant levels of absenteeism by choice. Interventions aimed at increasing staff retention during a pandemic require further evaluation.
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Published date: November 2010
Organisations:
Faculty of Medicine
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Local EPrints ID: 337619
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/337619
ISSN: 1034-4810
PURE UUID: 58d99e03-7a7d-45e4-af70-d624a57fe3a9
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Date deposited: 01 May 2012 11:26
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 10:55
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Author:
Marc Tebruegge
Author:
Aanastasia Pantazidou
Author:
Nicole Ritz
Author:
Tom Connell
Author:
Penelope Bryant
Author:
Susan Donath
Author:
Nigel Curtis
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