Table 1 Variables and matched questions in the questionnaire
Variables | Questions | Answer category |
|---|---|---|
Daily hand washing frequency during the past month | How many times per day did you wash your hands with soap during the previous month? | #1, 2-4, 5-7, 8-9, #10 |
Daily hand washing frequency one year ago | How many times per day did you wash your hands with soap one year ago? | #1, 2-4, 5-7, 8-9, #10 |
Information encountered | Have you seen or heard any information regarding hand washing as a prevention strategy for H1N1 influenza transmission? | Yes, No |
Perceived effectiveness | Do you consider hand washing to be an effective means of preventing H1N1 influenza infection? | Negligible, More or less, Substantial |
Perceived severity | If you were infected with H1N1 influenza, how great of a burden would that be on your daily life? | Mild symptom like common cold, Substantial limitation in daily life, Have severe consequences, May die from it |
Perceived susceptibility | How possible do you believe it is for you to become infected with H1N1 influenza? | Very low, Somewhat low, Nor low, nor high, Somewhat high, Very high |
Recent flu symptoms in participant | Have you recently experienced any flu-like symptoms? | Yes, No |
Recent flu symptoms in acquaintances | Do you have any acquaintances who experienced any flu-like symptoms recently? | Yes, No |