@article{fdi:010060703,
  title = {{T}he influenza {A} ({H}1{N}1) pandemic in {R}eunion {I}sland : knowledge, perceived risk and precautionary behaviour},
  author = {{T}aglioni, {F}. and {C}artoux, {M}. and {D}ellagi, {K}oussay and {D}alban, {C}. and {F}ianu, {A}. and {C}arrat, {F}. and {F}avier, {F}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground: {T}he effectiveness of preventive measures depends on prevailing attitudes and mindsets within a population. {P}erceived risk is central to a shift in mindset and behaviour. {T}he present study aims to investigate the perceived severity, vulnerability and precautionary behaviour adopted in response to the influenza {A} ({H}1{N}1) epidemic that broke out in 2009 on {R}eunion {I}sland ({I}ndian {O}cean). {A}s no {H}1{N}1 vaccination was available at the time, non-medical interventions appeared of crucial importance to the control of the epidemic. {M}ethods: {A} cross sectional survey was conducted in {R}eunion {I}sland between {N}ovember 2009 and {A}pril 2010 within 2 months of the passage of the influenza {A} ({H}1{N}1) epidemic wave. {I}ndividual contacts representing 725 households (one contact per household) were interviewed by telephone using validated questionnaires on perceived risks. {M}ean scores were calculated for perceived severity, vulnerability, efficacy of preventive measures and precautionary behaviour. {U}nivariate analysis was applied to identify preventive measures and attitudes and multivariate analysis was used to study the determinants of precautionary behaviour. {R}esults: {M}ore than 95% of contacted persons accepted to participate to the survey. {E}ighty seven percent of respondents believed that prevention was possible. {O}n average, three out of six preventive measures were deemed effective. {S}pontaneously, 57% of the respondents reported that they took one or more preventive measures. {T}his percentage increased to 87% after the interviewer detailed possible precautions one by one. {T}he main precautions taken were frequent hand washing (59%) and avoidance of crowded places (34%). {I}n multivariate logistic regression analysis the following factors were significantly associated with taking one or more preventive measures: young age, previous vaccination against seasonal influenza, having had seasonal influenza in the last five years, effectiveness of the preventive measures taken and low standards of education. {C}onclusion: {I}nhabitants of {R}eunion {I}sland have expressed a preventive approach adapted to the realities of the {H}1{N}1 pandemic, a feature that likely reflects some preparedness gained after the large and severe chikungunya epidemic that hit the island in 2006. {T}he degree of severity was well assessed despite the initial alarmist messages disseminated by national and international media. {P}recautions that were undertaken matched the degree of severity of the epidemic and the recommendations issued by health authorities. {F}urther qualitative studies are needed to help adapting public messages to the social and cultural realities of diverse communities and to prevent misconceptions.},
  keywords = {{I}nfluenza {A} ({H}1{N}1) pandemic ; {K}nowledge ; {P}erceived risk ; {P}erceived vulnerability ; {P}recautionary behaviour ; {REUNION}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{B}mc {I}nfectious {D}iseases},
  volume = {13},
  numero = {},
  pages = {34},
  ISSN = {1471-2334},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1186/1471-2334-13-34},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060703},
}