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Capitol Hill staff workers' experiences of bioterrorism: Qualitative findings from focus groups
Author(s) -
North Carol S.,
Pollio David E.,
Pfefferbaum Betty,
Megivern Deborah,
Vythilingam Meena,
Westerhaus Elizabeth Terry,
Martin Gregory J.,
Hong Barry A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20006
Subject(s) - warrant , psychological intervention , focus group , mental health , qualitative research , medicine , public health , occupational safety and health , psychiatry , nursing , sociology , social science , anthropology , financial economics , economics , pathology
Little systematic information is available on mental health issues related to bioterrorism. Five focus groups were conducted with Capitol Hill office staff ( n = 28 total participants) to learn about their experience of the anthrax incident on October 15, 2001. More than 2,000 verbal passages were coded into categories and themes by using qualitative analysis software. Issues emerging from the discussions included difficulties utilizing customary social supports, concerns over potential long‐term dangers created by efforts to eradicate the anthrax, and nonadherence to antianthrax medication regimens. Nonadherence to antibiotic prophylaxis is of immediate concern for response to future bioterrorist events as well as infectious disease epidemics. Other topics that warrant attention are social support and mental health interventions.