Table 2 Perceptions related to H1N1 (n = 999).
| Â | %# |
|---|---|
Unconfirmed beliefs and knowledge about modes of transmission of H1N1 | Â |
Unconfirmed beliefs about modes of transmission | Â |
Airborne with a long distance (from one building to another one) | 36.7% |
Transmitted via water sources (e.g. reservoirs) | 35.7% |
Transmitted via insect bites | 22.9% |
Transmitted via well-cooked pork | 41.6% |
Any one of above | 61.8% |
Correct knowledge about modes of transmission | Â |
Could be transmitted via droplets (e.g. sneeze) | 97.5% |
Could be transmitted via touching body of infected persons | 74.2% |
Could be transmitted via touching contaminated objects | 77.8% |
All above items being correct | 60.3% |
Evaluation of governmental preparedness and performance in dealing with H1N1 | Â |
Preparedness | Â |
The local health system do not have enough medication for treating H1N1 | 36.2% |
The local health system do not have enough vaccine for preventing H1N1 | 41.1% |
Hospitals in Hong Kong do not have enough personal protection equipments for preventing H1N1 | 30.2% |
Any one of the above | 52.6% |
Perceived ability to control the epidemic | Â |
Hong Kong will be able to control the H1N1 epidemic (agree) | 83.6% |
Hong Kong government will be certainly/most likely/likely able to control a large-scale H1N1 outbreak | 79.5% |
Any one of the above | 92.3% |
Evaluation of governmental performance* | Â |
Overall average evaluation score | Â |
   ≤5 | 10.7% |
   >5 - 8 | 69.1% |
   >8 | 20.2% |
Perceived availability of treatment | Â |
There is no effective drug for the treatment of H1N1 | 38.9% |
Risk perception | Â |
Perceived severity of H1N1 | Â |
High fatality | 20.6% |
Severe irreversible body damages | 18.9% |
Perceived chance of having a large scale H1N1 outbreak in Hong Kong in the future year, compared to other countries | Â |
   Hong Kong = other countries | 45.2% |
   Hong Kong > other countries | 7.1% |
   Hong Kong < other countries | 47.6% |
Perceived high or very high chance of contracting H1N1 in the coming year | Â |
   The respondent | 8.6% |
   Family members | 8.7% |
   The general public | 12.5% |