Health news

Swine flu? We’re not really bothered

Three quarters of people across Europe say they’re either “not at all concerned” or “only a little concerned” about swine flu.

Professor Robin Goodwin, from Brunel University in West London, worked with a team of researchers to ask people about swine flu. The research was carried out between the 30^th April and 6^th May 2009, the week after the World Health Organisation announced pandemic alert level five.

The study appears online in the journal BMC Infectious Diseases.The researchers interviewed 148 people in Europe using an online form, and 180 people in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur using paper forms.

People were asked for their responses to initial reports about the outbreak.

48% of Malaysians said they’d use public transport less during an outbreak compared to 22% of Europeans. European people believed the elderly and those with weakened immunity to be most at risk. Malaysians also believed that gay people, prostitutes and farmers were at relatively high risk.

Under estimating the threat

Professor Goodwin says “Our data suggest that individuals under estimate the threat of regular seasonal flu. Despite major media and governmental campaigns across Europe, there is obviously still a need for greater information with respect to symptomology and immunisation”.

Professor Goodwin went on to warn, “During pandemics, particular ‘out-groups’ may be vulnerable to discrimination. Political and health authorities need to be wary of increased stereotyping and prejudice towards such groups”.

He says people did seem to understand the basics of reducing swine flu risk, “Respondents correctly identified ‘washing hands’, avoidance of infected people and avoidance of crowded areas as strategies for avoiding infection”.

However, from the research findings he thinks being unrealistically optimistic can reduce our willingness to enact healthy behaviours.

Lack of concern is a continuing trend

The Brunel researchers questioned a relatively small sample of people. In June and July 2009 ICM carried out a far larger study, questioning more than 18,000 people in 19 countries face to face, online and by telephone.  They found that around the world, and particularly in Europe, there was “a striking lack of concern about Swine Flu”. Only 28% of everyone surveyed said they were “quite” or “very concerned” at that stage.

This lack of concern could cause difficulties for government health agencies around the world who are trying to get the message across about the importance of better hygiene to reduce flu risks and encourage the take up of the H1N1 vaccines when they become available.

In the latest swine flu update released on the 1^st October, the Health Protection Agency estimates there have been 14,000 new cases in England. The number of deaths related to swine flu in the UK is 84, and globally 4,334.