Journal Articles
Examining the knowledge, attitudes and practices of domestic and international university students towards seasonal and pandemic influenza
- Examining the knowledge, attitudes and practices of domestic and international university students towards seasonal and pandemic influenza
- BMC Public Health, 12, 307-307, 2012
- BioMed Central Ltd.
- 2012
-
- Hong Kong
-
- 1997.7 onwards
-
- Post-Secondary Education
- Background: Prior to the availability of the specific pandemic vaccine, strategies to mitigate the impact of the disease typically involved antiviral treatment and "non-pharmaceutical" community interventions. However, compliance with these strategies is linked to risk perceptions, perceived severity and perceived effectiveness of the strategies. In 2010, we undertook a study to examine the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, practices and barriers towards influenza and infection control strategies amongst domestic and international university students. Methods: A study using qualitative methods that incorporated 20 semi-structured interviews was undertaken with domestic and international undergraduate and postgraduate university students based at one university in Sydney, Australia. Participants were invited to discuss their perceptions of influenza (seasonal vs. pandemic) in terms of perceived severity and impact, and attitudes towards infection control measures including hand-washing and the use of social distancing, isolation or cough etiquette. Results: While participants were generally knowledgeable about influenza transmission, they were unable to accurately define what 'pandemic influenza' meant. While avian flu or SARS were mistaken as examples of past pandemics, almost all participants were able to associate the recent "swine flu" situation as an example of a pandemic event. Not surprisingly, it was uncommon for participants to identify university students as being at risk of catching pandemic influenza. Amongst those interviewed, it was felt that 'students' were capable of fighting off any illness. The participant's nominated hand washing as the most feasible and acceptable compared with social distancing and mask use. Conclusions: Given the high levels of interaction that occurs in a university setting, it is really important that students are informed about disease transmission and about risk of infection. It may be necessary to emphasize that pandemic influenza could pose a real threat to them, that it is important to protect oneself from infection and that infection control measures can be effective.[Copyright of BioMed Central Ltd. Full article may be available at the publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-307]
-
- English
- Journal Articles
-
- 14712458
- https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/en/bibs/bd7a2d47
- 2014-07-11
Recent Journal Articles
探究課程政策對教師遊戲教學信念的影響: 以香港兩所幼稚園教師為例Journal Articles
Educational value priorities of Chinese parents in a global city: A mixed-methods study in Hong KongJournal Articles
The construct of integrated group discussion (IGD) among undergraduate students: To what extent does group discussion performance reflect performance on IGD tasks?Journal Articles
Constructivist learning approaches do not necessarily promote immediate learning outcome or interest in science learningJournal Articles
Work–life balance among higher-education professionals in Hong Kong and Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemicJournal Articles
Healthy eating report card for pre-school children in Hong KongJournal Articles
Assessing the relationship between teacher inclusive beliefs, behaviors, and competences of students with autism spectrum disordersJournal Articles
Developing language teachers’ professional generative AI competence: An intervention study in an initial language teacher education courseJournal Articles