Adoption of preventive measures during and after the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic peak in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the preventive measures adopted by the Spanish population towards 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus and their associated factors. METHOD: An anonymous computer-assisted telephone interview survey was conducted in Spain in December 2009 and February 2010. Respondents were asked about their perceptions of influenza A (H1N1) virus and the preventive measures adopted. Factors associated with the adoption of preventive measures were assessed by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Out of 4892 households approached, 1627 valid responses were obtained (response rate of 33.3%). The most commonly adopted preventive measures were respiratory hygiene and hand washing. Factors independently associated with the adoption of the preventive measures recommended by the Spanish Ministry of Health were female gender, higher educational level, size of municipality of residence >50,000 inhabitants, high perceived susceptibility to infection, high perceived effectiveness of the measures and high perceived usefulness of the information provided by the government. The presence of school-aged children in household was associated with purchasing masks and hand sanitizer. CONCLUSION: In addition to demographic factors, modifiable factors such as personal beliefs and expectations play a role in the adoption of preventive measures.

[Attitudes and preventive behaviours adopted during the (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus epidemic in Spain]. / Actitudes y comportamientos preventivos durante la pandemia de gripe (H1N1) 2009 en España.

BACKGROUND: In the spring of 2009 the emergence of new influenza virus (H1N1) 2009 caused widespread alarm. The objective of this study is to describe the knowledge and risk perceptions towards the disease and its vaccine and the preventive measures adopted by the population. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted in two rounds with quotas for age, sex, Autonomous Regions and size of municipality. Respondents were asked regarding perceptions, preventive measures, vaccination related to 2009 influenza (H1N1) 2009 and sociodemographic data. Proportional quota sampling based on age, sex, province and size of municipality was used. We performed a descriptive analysis of the main study variables and applied the chi-square test to study the statistical analysis for categorical data. RESULTS: Overall we obtained 1,627 valid responses. 823 (51,6%) were women, 502 (30.9%) were between 18 and 34 years old and 580 (35.6%) were between 35 and 55 years old. 729 (49,1%) were unskilled, manual workers, and 857 (52,7%) were living in cities larger than 50,000 inhabitants. Only 15,7 % declared to feel at risk to get influenza, and this proportion was much lower (3,9%) in the second wave, after the epidemic peak. Overall, more than 80% (n=1353) felt that unnecessary social alarm had been generated (n=1353). 1.253 (77%) of the participants adopted at least one preventive measure. Respiratory hygiene (n=951 58,5%) and hand washing (n= 624 38,4%). were the most common preventive measures adopted. CONCLUSIONS: The main adopted measures were those recommended by the government.

Actitudes y comportamientos preventivos durante la pandemia de influenza (H1N1) 2009 en España / Attitudes and preventive behaviours adopted during the (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus epidemic in Spain

Fundamentos: En la primavera de 2009 la aparición del nuevo virus de la gripe (H1N1) 2009 causó una enorme alarma social. El objetivo de este estudio es describir los conocimientos y las percepciones de riesgo sobre la enfermedad y su vacuna así como las medidas preventivas adoptadas por la población general en España. Métodos: Encuesta telefónica en dos oleadas a una muestra de teléfonos fijos con cuotas por edad, sexo, Comunidades Autonómicas y tamaño de municipio. El cuestionario incluía preguntas sobre percepciones, medidas preventivas y vacunación contra la gripe (H1N1) 2009. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo de las principales variables del estudio y se aplicó la prueba chi-cuadrado para estudiar la relación estadística para datos categóricos. Resultados: Respondieron el cuestionario 1.627 personas. 823 (51,6%) eran mujeres; 502 (30,9%) tenían entre 18 y 35 años y 580 (35,6%) entre 35 y 55. 729 (49,1%) eran trabajadores manuales y 857 (52,7%) vivían en municipios de más de 50.000 habitantes. Únicamente un 15,7% de los que respondieron se sentía a riesgo de contraer la enfermedad, percepción que disminuyó al 3,9% en la segunda oleada, tra el pico epidémico. En conjunto, más del 80% (n=1.353) pensaba que se había generado alarma social, y el 77% adoptó al menos una medida preventiva.. Las medidas preventivas más frecuentemente adoptadas fueron cubrirse la boca y la nariz con un pañuelo al toser o estornudar (n=951 ; 58,5%) y la higiene de manos con mayor frecuencia (n= 624 ; 38,4%). Conclusión: Las principales medidas adoptadas fueron las recomendadas por las autoridades sanitarias(AU)

Background: In the spring of 2009 the emergence of new influenza virus (H1N1) 2009 caused widespread alarm. The objective of this study is to describe the knowledge and risk perceptions towards the disease and its vaccine and the preventive measures adopted by the population. Methods:Atelephone survey was conducted in two rounds with quotas for age, sex, Autonomous Regions and size of municipality. Respondents were asked regarding perceptions, preventive measures, vaccination related to 2009 influenza (H1N1) 2009 and sociodemographic data. Proportional quota sampling based on age, sex, province and size of municipality was used.We performed a descriptive analysis of the main study variables and applied the chi-square test to study the statistical analysis for categorical data Results: Overall we obtained 1,627 valid responses. 823 (51,6%) were women, 502 (30.9%) were between 18 and 34 years old and 580 (35.6%) were between 35 and 55 years old. 729 (49,1%) were unskilled, manual workers, and 857 (52,7%) were living in cities larger than 50,000 inhabitants. Only 15,7 % declared to feel at risk to get influenza, and this proportion was much lower (3,9%) in the second wave, after the epidemic peak.. Overall, more than 80% (n=1353) felt that unnecessary social alarm had been generated (n=1353). 1.253 (77%) of the participants adopted at least one preventive measure. Respiratory hygiene (n=951 58,5%) and hand washing (n= 624 38,4%). were the most common preventive measures adopted. Conclusions: The main adopted measures were those recommended by the government(AU)

Evaluación de proceso del programa escolar de prevención del consumo de cánnabis 'xkpts. com' en adolescentes de Barcelona en 2006 / Process evaluation of the school-based cannabis use prevention program 'xkpts. com' in adolescents from Barcelona in 2006

Introducción: Con frecuencia los efectos positivos observados de las intervenciones preventivas escolares son menores a los esperados, habitualmente por una implementación inadecuada. Objetivos: Describir la evaluación de proceso del programa de prevención del consumo de cánnabis en escolares (xkpts.com), medir la satisfacción de los profesores con el programa y definir los parámetros cuantitativos y cualitativos para valorar la exhaustividad de la intervención. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Muestra: 117 aulas de 39 escuelas de 3º ESO (2812 escolares). La información se recogió mediante fichas de evaluación cumplimentadas por el profesorado y las familias. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de la implementación de la intervención en las aulas y de la participación de las familias. Resultados: Tasa de respuesta de los profesores del 65%. La discusión fue la técnica más aplicada (100% de las aulas) y el DVD el recurso más utilizado (93,4%). El entrenamiento de habilidades se aplicó en el 72,4%de aulas. El 59,2% de aulas realizó una intervención aceptable (mínimo 8 de 16 actividades preventivas) frente al 38,2% de aulas con intervención cualificada (mínimo 1 actividad por cada sesión general y 2 por cada específica). La puntuación media de la valoración del programa fue 7,4 y el 81,6% del profesorado volvería a aplicarlo. La tasa de participación de las familias fue del 28,3% (796). Conclusiones: En dos de cada tres aulas la intervención fue aceptable y cuatro de cada diez cumplieron estrictamente el protocolo. Una mayor participación de las familias se corresponde con las escuelas con una mejor implementación de la intervención (AU)

Background: The observed positive effects of school-based prevention programs are frequently lower than what was expected, usually due to inadequate implementation. Aims: To describe the process evaluation of a cannabis use school-based prevention program (xkpts.com), to measure teachers’ satisfaction with the program and to define quantitative and qualitative parameters for assessing the exhaustiveness of the intervention. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Sample: 117 9th-gradeclasses in 39 schools (2812 students). The information was gathered by means of a self-report questionnaire for teachers and families. A descriptive analysis was made of the implementation of the intervention in the classrooms and of the families’ participation. Results: Teachers’ response rate was 65%. Discussion was the method most widely applied (100% of the classrooms) and DVD was the most widely used material (93.4%). Skills training was applied in 72.4% of the classrooms. In 59.2% of the classrooms there was an acceptable intervention (at least 8 of the 16 preventive activities), while in 38.2% there was a qualified intervention (at least 1 activity for each general lesson and 2 for each specific one). Mean score given to the program by teachers was 7.4, and 81.6% of them reported their intention to apply it again. Participation rate of the students’ families was 28.3% (796). Conclusions: The intervention was acceptable in two out of three classrooms, while in four out of ten the protocol was applied strictly. Greater participation of the students’ families corresponded to those schools in which the intervention was better implemented (AU)

[Process evaluation of the school-based cannabis use prevention program "xkpts.com" in adolescents from Barcelona in 2006]. / Evaluación de proceso del programa escolar de prevención del consumo de cánnabis xkpts.com en adolescentes de Barcelona en 2006.

BACKGROUND: The observed positive effects of school-based prevention programs are frequently lower than what was expected, usually due to inadequate implementation. AIMS: To describe the process evaluation of a cannabis use school-based prevention program (xkpts.com), to measure teachers' satisfaction with the program and to define quantitative and qualitative parameters for assessing the exhaustiveness of the intervention. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study. SAMPLE: 117 9th-grade classes in 39 schools (2812 students). The information was gathered by means of a self-report questionnaire for teachers and families. A descriptive analysis was made of the implementation of the intervention in the classrooms and of the families' participation. RESULTS: Teachers' response rate was 65%. Discussion was the method most widely applied (100% of the classrooms) and DVD was the most widely used material (93.4%). Skills training was applied in 72.4% of the classrooms. In 59.2% of the classrooms there was an acceptable intervention (at least 8 of the 16 preventive activities), while in 38.2% there was a qualified intervention (at least 1 activity for each general lesson and 2 for each specific one). Mean score given to the program by teachers was 7.4, and 81.6% of them reported their intention to apply it again. Participation rate of the students' families was 28.3% (796). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was acceptable in two out of three classrooms, while in four out of ten the protocol was applied strictly. Greater participation of the students' families corresponded to those schools in which the intervention was better implemented.