BACKGROUND: To characterize knowledge and misconceptions regarding viral upper respiratory infections (URI) among urban Hispanics and identify correlates of greater knowledge. METHODS: In-home interviews conducted by trained research coordinators in 453 primarily Hispanic households (2,386 members) in northern Manhattan. RESULTS: The majority of respondents attributed URI to weather-related conditions. While most agreed that colds and flu were caused by viruses, 88.1% also agreed that they were caused by bacteria, and a small proportion reported that URI may be caused by evil eye ('mal de ojo', 7.1%) or sudden fright ('susto', 3.3%). Only 29.8% agreed that colds and flu would improve without medication; 89.9% stated that antibiotics are needed to treat viral throat infections. Most were well versed about influenza vaccination and reported that a recommendation from a healthcare provider would definitely influence them to get vaccinated. DISCUSSION: Misconceptions about the role of antibiotics in the treatment of viral infections pose considerable risk in this population. Explicit, targeted recommendations from healthcare providers regarding vaccination and judicious antibiotic use as well as media campaigns targeted to Hispanics should be effective strategies for reducing misconceptions and improving health behaviors.
BACKGROUND: To characterize knowledge and misconceptions regarding viral upper respiratory infections (URI) among urban Hispanics and identify correlates of greater knowledge. METHODS: In-home interviews conducted by trained research coordinators in 453 primarily Hispanic households (2,386 members) in northern Manhattan. RESULTS: The majority of respondents attributed URI to weather-related conditions. While most agreed that colds and flu were caused by viruses, 88.1% also agreed that they were caused by bacteria, and a small proportion reported that URI may be caused by evil eye ('mal de ojo', 7.1%) or sudden fright ('susto', 3.3%). Only 29.8% agreed that colds and flu would improve without medication; 89.9% stated that antibiotics are needed to treat viral throat infections. Most were well versed about influenza vaccination and reported that a recommendation from a healthcare provider would definitely influence them to get vaccinated. DISCUSSION: Misconceptions about the role of antibiotics in the treatment of viral infections pose considerable risk in this population. Explicit, targeted recommendations from healthcare providers regarding vaccination and judicious antibiotic use as well as media campaigns targeted to Hispanics should be effective strategies for reducing misconceptions and improving health behaviors.
Authors: Ralph Gonzales; Kitty K Corbett; Bonnie A Leeman-Castillo; Judith Glazner; Kathleen Erbacher; Carol A Darr; Shale Wong; Judith H Maselli; Angela Sauaia; Karen Kafadar Journal: Health Serv Res Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 3.402
Authors: Ralph Gonzales; Angela Sauaia; Kitty K Corbett; Judith H Maselli; Kathleen Erbacher; Bonnie A Leeman-Castillo; Carol A Darr; Peter M Houck Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Donita R Croft; Mary Jo Knobloch; Po-Huang Chyou; Darcy Vanden Ellen; Carolyn Janette; Jeffrey P Davis; Richard E Besser; Edward A Belongia Journal: WMJ Date: 2007-04
Authors: Grace M Lee; Jennifer F Friedman; Dennis Ross-Degnan; Patricia L Hibberd; Donald A Goldmann Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2003-02 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Bevin Cohen; Yu-hui Ferng; Jennifer Wong-McLoughlin; Haomiao Jia; Stephen S Morse; Elaine L Larson Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2010-09-29 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Sara E Grineski; Timothy W Collins; Paola Chavez-Payan; Anthony M Jimenez; Stephanie Clark-Reyna; Marie Gaines; Young-an Kim Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2014-03-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Sri Suryawati; Charlotte de Crespigny; Janet E Hiller; Aris Widayati Journal: Antimicrob Resist Infect Control Date: 2012-11-23 Impact factor: 4.887