Premium
Perception, attitudes and knowledge regarding the 2009 swine‐origin influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic among health‐care workers in Australia
Author(s) -
Tebruegge Marc,
Pantazidou Anastasia,
Ritz Nicole,
Connell Tom,
Bryant Penelope,
Donath Susan,
Curtis Nigel
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01820.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , preparedness , personal protective equipment , staffing , health care , infection control , psychological intervention , absenteeism , population , influenza pandemic , family medicine , human mortality from h5n1 , influenza a virus , environmental health , nursing , intensive care medicine , covid-19 , virus , virology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , management , law , economics , economic growth , political science
Aim: To determine the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of Australian health‐care workers (HCWs) regarding the novel, swine‐origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S‐OIV) outbreak that reached the country in early May 2009. Methods: Self‐administered, anonymous Web‐based survey conducted during the early stages of the S‐OIV pandemic. Participants comprised hospital‐ and community‐based medical and nursing staff, medical students, allied health professionals, laboratory staff and administrative personnel. Results: Of the 947 participants surveyed, 59.4% were not convinced that Australia was sufficiently prepared for an influenza pandemic. Only 17.6% of the participants stated they were prepared to work unconditionally during a pandemic; 36.5% stated they would work if they had access to antiviral treatment; 27.9% would if provided with antiviral prophylaxis; and 7.5% would refuse to work. In addition, 37.5% of the participants responded they would refuse or avoid being involved in screening suspected cases. A total of 47.7% admitted to possessing a personal supply of antivirals or having considered this option. Only 48.0% provided a realistic estimate of the mortality associated with an influenza pandemic at a population level. HCWs overestimating the mortality risk and HCWs believing the efficacy of antiviral prophylaxis to be low were significantly less likely to be prepared to work ( P = 0.04 and P = 0.0004, respectively). Conclusions: To ensure adequate staffing during an influenza pandemic, preparedness plans should anticipate significant levels of absenteeism by choice. Interventions aimed at increasing staff retention during a pandemic require further evaluation.