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Household Preparedness and Preferred Communication Channels in Public Health Emergencies: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Residents in an Asian Developed Urban City

Author

Listed:
  • Greta Tam

    (Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Zhe Huang

    (Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Emily Ying Yang Chan

    (Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Disaster awareness and household preparedness are crucial for reducing the negative effects of a disaster. This study aims to examine the citizens’ preparedness level in the event of a general disaster or outbreak of infectious disease and to identify suitable channels for community disease surveillance and risk communication. We used a stratified random design to conduct a digit-dialed telephone survey in Hong Kong during February 2014. Level of disaster preparedness was examined according to the possession of disaster kit items. Associations between socio-demographic factors and good household preparedness were assessed using multiple logistic regression models. Preferences for infectious disease surveillance were collected and analyzed. There were 1020 respondents. Over half of the respondents (59.2%) had good household preparedness. After adjustment, female respondents, having higher education and higher household income were significantly associated with good household preparedness. Television and telephone were the preferred channels to obtain and report infectious disease information, respectively. In conclusion, general and specific infectious-disease household preparedness levels in Hong Kong were generally good. Tailored preparedness programs targeted to specific communities are necessary for those lacking preparedness. Risk communication and public health surveillance should be conducted through television and telephone, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Greta Tam & Zhe Huang & Emily Ying Yang Chan, 2018. "Household Preparedness and Preferred Communication Channels in Public Health Emergencies: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Residents in an Asian Developed Urban City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1598-:d:160455
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julia S. Becker & Douglas Paton & David M. Johnston & Kevin R. Ronan, 2013. "Salient Beliefs About Earthquake Hazards and Household Preparedness," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(9), pages 1710-1727, September.
    2. Marshall, H. & Ryan, P. & Roberton, D. & Street, J. & Watson, M., 2009. "Pandemic influenza and community preparedness," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(S2), pages 365-371.
    3. Neil M. Ferguson & Derek A.T. Cummings & Simon Cauchemez & Christophe Fraser & Steven Riley & Aronrag Meeyai & Sopon Iamsirithaworn & Donald S. Burke, 2005. "Strategies for containing an emerging influenza pandemic in Southeast Asia," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7056), pages 209-214, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Asta Yi Tao Man & Holly Ching Yu Lam & Gloria Kwong Wai Chan & Brian J. Hall & Kevin Kei Ching Hung, 2019. "Is Urban Household Emergency Preparedness Associated with Short-Term Impact Reduction after a Super Typhoon in Subtropical City?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Zhe Huang & Kevin Kei Ching Hung & Gloria Kwong Wai Chan & Holly Ching Yu Lam & Eugene Siu Kai Lo & May Pui Shan Yeung, 2019. "Health Emergency Disaster Risk Management of Public Transport Systems: A Population-Based Study after the 2017 Subway Fire in Hong Kong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Zhe Huang & Eugene Siu Kai Lo & Kevin Kei Ching Hung & Eliza Lai Yi Wong & Samuel Yeung Shan Wong, 2020. "Sociodemographic Predictors of Health Risk Perception, Attitude and Behavior Practices Associated with Health-Emergency Disaster Risk Management for Biological Hazards: The Case of COVID-19 Pandemic i," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Mario J. Valladares-Garrido & Luis E. Zapata-Castro & Christopher G. Valdiviezo-Morales & Abigaíl García-Vicente & Darwin A. León-Figueroa & Raúl Calle-Preciado & Virgilio E. Failoc-Rojas & César Joha, 2022. "Factors Associated with Knowledge of Evacuation Routes and Having an Emergency Backpack in Individuals Affected by a Major Earthquake in Piura, Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.
    5. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Holly Ching Yu Lam, 2020. "Research Frontiers of Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management: What Do We Know So Far?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-4, March.
    6. Ziyi Wang & Ziqiang Han & Lin Liu & Shaobin Yu, 2021. "Place Attachment and Household Disaster Preparedness: Examining the Mediation Role of Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.

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