Steelfisher Gillian K, Blendon Robert J, Brulé Amanda S, Ben-Porath Eran N, Ross Laura J, Atkins Bret M
Harvard Opinion Research Program, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Biosecur Bioterror. 2012 Dec;10(4):401-11. doi: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0041.
The 2001 anthrax attacks emphasized the need to develop outreach that would more effectively support racial/ethnic minority populations during a bioterrorism incident. Given the importance of antibiotic prophylaxis in a future anthrax attack, it should be a priority to better support racial/ethnic minorities in mass dispensing programs. To examine the needs and perspectives of racial/ethnic minorities, this study used a nationally representative poll of 1,852 adults, including 1,240 whites, 261 African Americans, and 282 Hispanics. The poll examined public reactions to a ''worst-case scenario'' in which cases of inhalation anthrax are discovered without an identified source and the entire population of a city or town is asked to receive antibiotic prophylaxis within 48 hours. Findings suggest willingness across all racial/ethnic groups to comply with recommendations to seek prophylaxis at dispensing sites. However, findings also indicate possible barriers for racial/ethnic minorities, including greater concern about pill safety and multiple attacks as well as lesser knowledge about inhalation anthrax. Across all racial/ethnic groups, roughly half would prefer to receive antibiotics at mass dispensing sites rather than through the US Postal Service. People in racial/ethnic minority groups were more likely to say this preference stems from a desire to speak with staff or to exchange medication formulation or type. Findings suggest the need for tailored outreach to racial/ethnic minorities through, for example, emphasis on key messages and enhanced understandability in communications, increased staff for answering questions in relevant dispensing sites, and long-term trust building with racial/ethnic minority communities.
2001年的炭疽袭击事件凸显了开展外联活动的必要性，以便在生物恐怖主义事件期间更有效地支持少数种族/族裔群体。鉴于抗生素预防在未来炭疽袭击中的重要性，在大规模分发计划中更好地支持少数种族/族裔群体应成为优先事项。为了研究少数种族/族裔群体的需求和观点，本研究对1852名成年人进行了一项具有全国代表性的民意调查，其中包括1240名白人、261名非裔美国人和282名西班牙裔。该民意调查考察了公众对一种“最坏情况”的反应，即发现吸入性炭疽病例但来源不明，并且要求一个城市或城镇的全体居民在48小时内接受抗生素预防。研究结果表明，所有种族/族裔群体都愿意遵守在分发地点寻求预防措施的建议。然而，研究结果也表明少数种族/族裔群体可能存在的障碍，包括对药丸安全性和多次袭击的更大担忧，以及对吸入性炭疽的了解较少。在所有种族/族裔群体中，大约一半的人更愿意在大规模分发地点接受抗生素，而不是通过美国邮政服务。少数种族/族裔群体的人更有可能表示，这种偏好源于希望与工作人员交谈或更换药物配方或类型。研究结果表明，需要针对少数种族/族裔群体开展有针对性的外联活动，例如强调关键信息并提高沟通的易懂性，在相关分发地点增加回答问题的工作人员，以及与少数种族/族裔社区建立长期信任。
