| BackgroundThe pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus was first detected in North America in April 2009, and in June, its widespread transmission led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare pandemic influenza Phase 6. China is at greatest risk of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 due to its huge population and high residential density, with the under-developed medical-care and public health system. The community-based acute respiratory infections (ARI) prevalence and health-seeking rates survey could provide evidence for evaluating epidemic situation of pandemic H1N1 and allocating health resources. Further, the unclear comprehension and negative attitudes towards the emerging infectious disease among general population may lead to unnecessary worry and even panic.Objectives1) To investigate the prevalence of ARI and health-seeking rates in the ruban and rural areas in China during different pandemic phases.2) To know about the covarege of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines and the related factors.3) To investigate the Chinese public response to H1N1 pandemic and provide baseline data to develop public education campaigns in response to future outbreaks.Materials and MethodsA close-ended questionnaire developed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention was applied to assess the two-week prevalence of ARI, health-seeking rates, coverage of seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines, and the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 among responders recruited from seven urban and two rural areas of China sampled by using the probability proportional to size (PPS) method. The data were entered into the epidata database and analized using Excel and SPSS.Results:1) The overall response rates were over 40% for the nine areas, range from 30% in urban area of Shanghai to 65% in rural area of Zhengzhou.2) During November 2009 and March 2010, the two-week prevalences of ARI showed a decreasing trend from 6.1% to 2.0% of the six surveys, and the rates were higher in children aged 0-4 and 5-14 years old. There were differences between the rural and urban people on the health-seeking rates after ARI attack, and 40% of responders chose to buy medicines by themselves.3) During November 2009 and March 2010, coverage rates increased from 6.4% to 9.9% for seasonal influenza vaccines, and 9.2% to 14.4% for pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines, with higher rates in urban area than rural area (7.8% vs 6.1 for seasonal influenza vaccines, and 11.2% vs 9.3% for pandemic vaccines).4) 60% of people knew about the transmission routes thourgh coughing and face-to-face contact of pandemic H1N1 influenza. Awareness rates of pandemic H1N1 vaccination strategy and policy including free-vaccination and priority were higher (70%).51.6%-70.2% of people were willing to get pandemic H1N1 vaccination, but 60% of the responders did not receive due to no notice.45% of people used to cover their mouths and noses when coughing, but few (10%) wore masks when they had an influenza like illness.90% of people were satisfactory with what the government did during pandemic.Conclusions:1) During November 2009 and March 2010, the two-week prevalences of ARI decreased in rural and ruban areas of China There were differences between the rural and urban people on the health-seeking rates and sites.2) Coverage rates seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines increased during the study period, with higher rates in urban area than rural area.3) During the study period, the KAP level of pandemic H1N1 and vaccines of the people were consistant. Most people were willing to get pandemic H1N1 vaccination, and 90% of people were satisfactory with what the government did. Public education campaign may improve the KAP level and the panmemic H1N1 vaccination.4) The telephone survey is a fast method to investigate the prevalence of illness, health-seeking behaviours and KAP levels, and it coud provide real-time evidence for prevention and control of diseases. |
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