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Risk Communication During the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Pandemic: Stakeholder Experiences From Eight European Countries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2015

Rasmus Cloes ,
Amena Ahmad  and
Ralf Reintjes
Rasmus Cloes
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
Amena Ahmad*
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
Ralf Reintjes
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Amena Ahmad, MD, MPH, Department Health Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany (e-mail: amenaalmes.ahmad@haw-hamburg.de).
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Abstract

Objective

We aimed to assess professional stakeholders’ perceptions of the risk-communication difficulties faced during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in Europe.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts involved in the management of the 2009 swine flu pandemic from different European countries. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded.

Results

A total of 25 experts from 8 European countries were interviewed: 9 from the micro-level, 10 from the meso-level, and 6 from the macro-level of employment. The interviews revealed 3 main themes: vaccine issues, communication issues, and general problems. As reasons for the low vaccination coverage, stakeholders mentioned the late arrival of the vaccines, the moderate character of the pandemic, vaccine safety concerns, and a general skepticism toward vaccination. Communication needs varied between the different levels of employment: macro- and meso-level stakeholders preferred fast information but from multiple sources; the micro-level stakeholders preferred one credible source. Throughout Europe, collaboration with the media was perceived as poor and professionals felt misunderstood.

Conclusions

Professional stakeholders should be enabled to access reliable information rapidly through preestablished channels; emphasis should be placed on establishing sustainable cooperations between experts and the media; and measures to improve trust in health authorities, such as the transparent communication of uncertainties, should be encouraged. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:127-133)

Keywords

pandemicrisk managementcommunicationinfluenzahuman
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 9 , Supplement 2 , April 2015 , pp. 127 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2015 

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References

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