OBJECTIVE: To determine essential workers' ability and willingness to report to duty during a serious pandemic outbreak and to identify modifiable risk factors. METHODS: Workers (N = 1103) from six essential workgroups completed an anonymous, cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: Although a substantial proportion of participants reported that they would be able (80%), fewer would be willing (65%) to report to duty. Only 49% of participants would be both able and willing. Factors significantly associated with ability/willingness included individual-level (eg, intentions to adhere to respiratory protection and pandemic vaccination recommendations) and organizational-level factors (eg, preparedness planning for respiratory protection and worker vaccination programs). CONCLUSIONS: During a serious pandemic event, non-illness-related shortfalls among essential workers could be substantial. Organizational preparedness efforts should focus on worker protection programs and the development of policies that would facilitate the attendance of healthy workers.
OBJECTIVE: To determine essential workers' ability and willingness to report to duty during a serious pandemic outbreak and to identify modifiable risk factors. METHODS: Workers (N = 1103) from six essential workgroups completed an anonymous, cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: Although a substantial proportion of participants reported that they would be able (80%), fewer would be willing (65%) to report to duty. Only 49% of participants would be both able and willing. Factors significantly associated with ability/willingness included individual-level (eg, intentions to adhere to respiratory protection and pandemic vaccination recommendations) and organizational-level factors (eg, preparedness planning for respiratory protection and worker vaccination programs). CONCLUSIONS: During a serious pandemic event, non-illness-related shortfalls among essential workers could be substantial. Organizational preparedness efforts should focus on worker protection programs and the development of policies that would facilitate the attendance of healthy workers.
Authors: Daniel J Barnett; Carol B Thompson; Nicole A Errett; Natalie L Semon; Marilyn K Anderson; Justin L Ferrell; Jennifer M Freiheit; Robert Hudson; Michelle M Koch; Mary McKee; Alvaro Mejia-Echeverry; James Spitzer; Ran D Balicer; Jonathan M Links Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-03-07 Impact factor: 3.295