Who cares? Pandemic influenza risk perception in urban populations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Who cares? Pandemic Influenza risk perception in urban populations of England and Wales.
IRAS ID
262582
Contact name
Tecwyn Davies
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Copenhagen
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ACTRN12619000672156p, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) | http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12619000672156p.aspx
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Influenza continues to be the cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Seasonal disease burden is predominantly in the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. However, the pattern of mortality in pandemics has been disproportionately high in younger adults and previous-well individuals, leading to significant impacts on health systems and national economies.
The 100-year anniversary of the ‘Spanish flu’ was marked in 2018 and serves as a reminder of the most lethal global disease outbreak in history. Expected annual deaths from influenza is approximately 600 per year, which increased to 20-times this in 2008/2009. Estimates of global deaths from a future influenza pandemic range from 2 to 360 million people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) pandemic influenza preparedness framework 2018 and the WHO greatest health threats of 2019, acknowledge the current existing threat of an influenza pandemic resulting in a disaster.
Research gaps in influenza pandemic literature have been identified and deemed a high priority for further study, including risk perceptions among the general population. Theories of behaviour and attitudes are less studied than knowledge and may assist in understanding reasons for particular health choices. Given a catastrophic global pandemic could affect millions of people worldwide, adequate preparedness the knowledge of risk perception essential for an effective plan.
The study is proposed to take place in June - October 2019, with completion of the written report in December 2019. Data collection will occur at four sites; two in Cardiff and two in London. Primary care centres will be identified as suitable accessible sample populations, A self-answered questionnaire will be presented to each consenting adult attending one of the selected primary care centres. The potential participants will be asked to read the cover page prior to completing the attached questionnaire.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1227
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion