[Which infectious diseases should be prioritized in educating Japanese population?].

OBJECTIVE

We studied which infections would be prioritized in educating the general population of Japan.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Subjects were 25 physicians and veterinarians in charge of infection control in infections control divisions of local and national governments. We conducted a questionnaire using the Delphi method.

RESULTS

Based on (1) epidemiological and clinical characteristics, (2) knowledge level, awareness, and behavior of general population and healthcare professionals, and (3) social background and coping skills we selected 24 diseases for prioritization Tuberculosis was first, followed by influenza, HIV/AIDS, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection (O157), and genital chlamydial infection. Three animal-derived infections ranked in the top 10.

DISCUSSION: We have not yet found which the priority of infections should be prioritized in educating the general population on infections. Although our findings are too few to make any generations about, several studies back the reasons why diseases were singled out in our study. Given the fact that most high-ranked infections have ever been educated, education thus far appears to have been highly ineffective way, meaning that more effective ways of education on infection must be found in future.