[Personal protective and healthcare seeking behaviors urban residents before and during an influenza pandemic in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE

To provide evidence-based recommendations to the government on strategies for reducing the impact of the imminent influenza pandemic, we conducted a survey on the personal protective and healthcare seeking behaviors of Beijing residents in the wake of the worldwide epidemic of the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, and potential changes in these behaviors during a full-blown pandemic.

METHODS

We used a two-stage Mitofsky-Waksberg telephone survey to collect information for Beijing residents >/= 18 years of age and weighted the sample by the census estimate of Beijing population for 2008. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information about the respondents' knowledge regarding the novel influenza virus, current personal protective and healthcare seeking behaviors during a full-blown influenza pandemic.

RESULTS

286 Beijing urban residents were interviewed during May 15 to 18 (response rate: 62%). 77% (95%CI: 71% - 82%) of the residents that they would cover their sneezes at home, and 93% (95%CI: 89% - 96%) would do so in a public place. Of the residents would cover their sneezes at home, 66% (95%CI: 57% - 74%) would covered their sneezes by hand, 33% (95%CI: 25% - 42%) by facial tissue, and only 0.4% (95%CI: 0.1% - 2.9%) by sleeves. Similarly, of the residents would cover their sneezes at a public place, 64% (95%CI: 56% - 71%) would cover their sneezes by hand, 33% (95%CI: 26% - 41%) by facial tissue and 0% by sleeves. 46% (95%CI: 32% - 59%) of the residents would wash their hands after covering their sneezes with hand in public places, and 77% (95%CI: 64% - 89%) would do so at home. Higher percentages of residents would wear a mask (63%, 95%CI: 56% - 70%) and get vaccinated (43%, 95%CI: 37% - 50%) during a pandemic than under currently situation (3.5%, 95%CI: 1.7% - 7.0% for wearing a mask; 13%, 95%CI: 9.8% - 18% for getting vaccinated). 86% (95%CI: 81% - 89%) of the residents would visit a doctor for an influenza-like illness during a pandemic, similar to the percentage currently seen (76%, 95%CI: 70% - 81%). 71% (95%CI: 63% - 78%) of the residents would visit a doctor for influenza-like illness and would choose a tertiary medical center; with percentage (74%, 95%CI: 66% - 80%) similar to the one during a pandemic.

CONCLUSION

Beijing residents need to be aware of the proper ways to cover their noses when sneezing (especially using their sleeves more), and to wash their hands. An effective plan to triage patients should be immediately established to efficiently utilize the limited healthcare resources, which would likely be further strained during a pandemic.