Obaghe Edeghere1, Tom Fowler2, Fay Wilson3, Richard Caspa4, Smitri Raichand4, Edna Kara5, Sumi Janmohamed Rampling6, Babatunde Olowokure7. 1. Consultant Epidemiologist, Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Birmingham, UK Obaghe.Edeghere@phe.gov.uk. 2. Locum Consultant Epidemiologist, Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Birmingham, UK Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Birmingham, UK. 3. CEO/Group Medical Director, Birmingham and District General Practitioner Emergency Room, Birmingham, UK. 4. Post-graduate Intern, Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Birmingham, UK. 5. previously Post-graduate Intern, Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Birmingham, UK; currently Scientist (Epidemiology); Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety department, Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK. 6. Specialty Registrar, Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Birmingham, UK. 7. previously Consultant Regional Epidemiologist, Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Birmingham, UK; currently Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control. Caribbean Institute of Public Health, Trinidad & Tobago.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: During the early ('containment') phase of the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, when the severity of the pandemic was unclear, health care workers (HCWs) across the UK were deployed to swab and prescribe antiviral drugs to suspected cases. This study describes the knowledge, attitudes, experience and behaviour of frontline HCWs in Birmingham, West Midlands, during this period. METHODS: During June 2009, a 25-item semi-structured questionnaire was used to survey HCWs who undertook defined clinical duties as part of the public health response during the early phase of the pandemic. Participants were clinical staff based in a primary care out-of-hours service provider. RESULTS: The response rate was 50% (n = 20). All respondents provided direct clinical care that necessitated prolonged close contact with potentially infectious cases. Knowledge and use of personal protective equipment and infection control procedures was consistently high. However, the main source of infection control advice was local guidance. Uptake of, and attitude towards, vaccination as a preventive measure and antiviral prophylaxis was poor. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs were prepared to provide an essential health care response during the pandemic even when the severity of disease was unclear. However, more needs to be done to change health care workers' negative attitudes towards taking antivirals and receiving influenza vaccination.
OBJECTIVES: During the early ('containment') phase of the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, when the severity of the pandemic was unclear, health care workers (HCWs) across the UK were deployed to swab and prescribe antiviral drugs to suspected cases. This study describes the knowledge, attitudes, experience and behaviour of frontline HCWs in Birmingham, West Midlands, during this period. METHODS: During June 2009, a 25-item semi-structured questionnaire was used to survey HCWs who undertook defined clinical duties as part of the public health response during the early phase of the pandemic. Participants were clinical staff based in a primary care out-of-hours service provider. RESULTS: The response rate was 50% (n = 20). All respondents provided direct clinical care that necessitated prolonged close contact with potentially infectious cases. Knowledge and use of personal protective equipment and infection control procedures was consistently high. However, the main source of infection control advice was local guidance. Uptake of, and attitude towards, vaccination as a preventive measure and antiviral prophylaxis was poor. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs were prepared to provide an essential health care response during the pandemic even when the severity of disease was unclear. However, more needs to be done to change health care workers' negative attitudes towards taking antivirals and receiving influenza vaccination.
Authors: C Guerrisi; B Thomas; A Ordax Diez; D Van Cauteren; J E Lozano Alonso; S Moreels; A Falchi; T Vega Alonso; I Bonmarin; J Raude; A M Vilcu; T Hanslik; M Debin; L Rossignol; V Colizza; C Souty; T Blanchon Journal: BMC Prim Care Date: 2022-01-23