Paek Hye-Jin, Hilyard Karen, Freimuth Vicki S, Barge J Kevin, Mindlin Michele
Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Health Promot Pract. 2008 Oct;9(4 Suppl):60S-72S. doi: 10.1177/1524839908322114.
To better inform public health officials during a flu pandemic, this study analyzes a representative statewide telephone survey among 1,602 adults to examine knowledge and perceptions about a flu pandemic, trust in government, and support for government actions in a flu pandemic. The findings show citizens do not understand what avian/bird flu is and how it evolves into a pandemic. They also seem to have divergent perceptions regarding the susceptibility and severity of a flu pandemic. More than half of the respondents trust the government to handle a flu pandemic and show strong support for many proposed government actions in a pandemic, except for offering non-fully approved drugs. The findings suggest public health and risk communicators should reinforce support for controversial actions through trust building and personalization of risks rather than mere education or publicity. Public education and engagement should also begin pre-pandemic and continue throughout all phases of the event.
为了在流感大流行期间更好地为公共卫生官员提供信息，本研究分析了一项对该州1602名成年人进行的具有代表性的电话调查，以考察关于流感大流行的知识和认知、对政府的信任以及对政府在流感大流行中采取行动的支持度。研究结果表明，公民不了解禽流感是什么以及它如何演变成大流行。他们对于流感大流行的易感性和严重性似乎也有不同的认知。超过一半的受访者信任政府应对流感大流行，并对许多提议的政府在大流行中的行动表示强烈支持，但提供未完全获批的药物除外。研究结果表明，公共卫生和风险沟通者应通过建立信任和将风险个性化来加强对有争议行动的支持，而不仅仅是通过教育或宣传。公共教育和参与也应在大流行前开始，并在事件的所有阶段持续进行。
