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Health Information During the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic: Did the Amount Received Influence Infection Prevention Behaviors?

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Abstract

In the wake of uncertainty due to the H1N1 influenza pandemic, amount and sources of H1N1-related information were examined in a cohort at high-risk for respiratory complications. Factors associated with adequate amount of information were identified. A cross-sectional mailed survey was conducted in 2010 with veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Bivariate comparisons assessed adequate H1N1-realted information versus not enough and too much. Multivariate regression identified variables associated with receipt of adequate information. A greater proportion who received adequate versus not enough information received H1N1 vaccination (61.87 vs. 48.49 %, p < 0.0001). A greater proportion who received adequate versus too much information received seasonal vaccination (84.90 vs. 71.02 %, p < 0.0001) and H1N1 vaccination (61.87 vs. 42.45 %, p < 0.0001). Variables associated with greater odds of receiving adequate information included being white, a college graduate, and having VA health professionals as their primary information source. Receiving adequate information was associated with lower odds of staying home with flu/flu-like symptoms, and higher odds of H1N1 vaccine receipt and wearing a facemask. Receiving appropriate amounts of information from valid sources may impact adherence to infection control recommendations during pandemics. Findings can be used to facilitate efforts ensuring information is received by high-risk populations.

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Acknowledgments

This material is based on work supported by the Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development, and Spinal Cord Injury Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This paper reflects only the authors' opinions, and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors have a financial or other relationship that might signify a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care, Hines VA Hospital, 5000 S. 5th Avenue (151H), Hines, IL, 60141, USA

    Bella Etingen, Sherri L. LaVela & Scott Miskevics

  2. Spinal Cord Injury Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA

    Bella Etingen, Sherri L. LaVela, Scott Miskevics & Barry Goldstein

  3. Institute for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Sherri L. LaVela

  4. VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA

    Barry Goldstein

  5. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Barry Goldstein

Authors
  1. Bella Etingen
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  2. Sherri L. LaVela
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  3. Scott Miskevics
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  4. Barry Goldstein
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Correspondence to Bella Etingen.

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Etingen, B., LaVela, S.L., Miskevics, S. et al. Health Information During the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic: Did the Amount Received Influence Infection Prevention Behaviors?. J Community Health 38, 443–450 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9647-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9647-8

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