Preventive behaviors, beliefs, and anxieties in relation to the swine flu outbreak among college students aged 18–24 years

• Published in: Journal of public health Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 139 - 145
• Main Authors: Kanadiya, Mehulkumar K., Sallar, Anthony M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.04.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anxiety; Belief & doubt; College students; Disease prevention; Epidemiology; Health behavior; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Immunization; Insect bites; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original; Original Article; Outbreaks; Public Health; Risk reduction; Swine flu; Vaccines; Preventive behavior; College students; 2009 H1N1 vaccine; Swine flu; H1N1
• ISSN: 0943-1853; 2198-1833; 1613-2238
• DOI: 10.1007/s10389-010-0373-3

Aim The objective of this study was to assess beliefs, misconception, and anxiety in relation to swine flu outbreak and whether perception of the outbreak predicted changes in behavior. Subject and methods In November 2009, we conducted an Internet-based cross-sectional survey of college students aged 18–24 years in a Midwestern State in the USA. We collected information on swine flu knowledge, perception on immunization safety, perceived efficacy of recommended behavior, changed behavior, and anxiety. Results Of the 236 respondents, 83.1% had some anxiety about swine flu, 64.8% believed avoiding crowded places was preventive, 33.5% believed the 2009 swine flu vaccine was safe, and 36.9% showed interest in receiving the vaccine. Misconceptions about swine flu contagion via eating cooked pork, water sources, and insect bites were common. Respondents were unaware of transmissions via contaminated objects and droplets. Only 42.6% were satisfied with governmental efforts. Women were more likely to wash hands frequently than men (odds ratio 2.80, p  < 0.001). Conclusion There is a gap in swine flu knowledge, minimal risk reduction, increased amount of anxiety, and skepticism about swine flu vaccine safety. These gaps warrant serious attention to inform the public about specific actions regarding swine flu.