Local public health workers' perceptions toward responding to an influenza pandemic.
Abstract
Current national preparedness plans require local health departments to play an integral role in responding to an influenza pandemic, a major public health threat that the World Health Organization has described as "inevitable and possibly imminent". To understand local public health workers' perceptions toward pandemic influenza response, we surveyed 308 employees at three health departments in Maryland from March-July 2005, on factors that may influence their ability and willingness to report to duty in such an event. The data suggest that nearly half of the local health department workers are likely not to report to duty during a pandemic. The stated likelihood of reporting to duty was significantly greater for clinical (Multivariate OR: 2.5; CI 1.3-4.7) than technical and support staff, and perception of the importance of one's role in the agency's overall response was the single most influential factor associated with willingness to report (Multivariate OR: 9.5; CI 4.6-19.9). The perceived risk among public health workers was shown to be associated with several factors peripheral to the actual hazard of this event. These risk perception modifiers and the knowledge gaps identified serve as barriers to pandemic influenza res...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Software Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Anthrax Vaccines (ASM)
Three different types of anthrax vaccines are available; a live-attenuated, an alum-precipitated cell-free filtrate and a protein recombinant vaccine. The effectiveness between the three is uncertain, but the live-attenuated have shown to reduce the risk of anthrax with low adverse events. Here is the latest research on anthrax vaccines.
Anthrax
Anthrax toxin, comprising protective antigen, lethal factor, and oedema factor, is the major virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis, an agent that causes high mortality in humans and animals. Here is the latest research on Anthrax.
Anthrax Vaccines
Three different types of anthrax vaccines are available; a live-attenuated, an alum-precipitated cell-free filtrate and a protein recombinant vaccine. The effectiveness between the three is uncertain, but the live-attenuated have shown to reduce the risk of anthrax with low adverse events. Here is the latest research on anthrax vaccines.