Knowledge and anticipated attitudes of the community about bird flu outbreak in Turkey, 2007-2008: a survey-based descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: To determine factors associated with knowledge and anticipated attitudes to a foreseen avian influenza outbreak in a high-risk population from a Turkish remote region.

Methods: A random, cross-sectional face-to-face survey of 1,046 Turkish adults.

Results: The proportion of participants concerned about contracting the virus was significantly lower amongst the less educated and rural located respondents. Significantly more rural than urban located participants declared not complying with quarantine policies and not handing out their poultry in case of an influenza outbreak. Factors associated with protective behaviours were higher level of education, urban location, not performing backyard farming of poultry, and preferring ready-to-eat products.

Conclusions: Preparedness against bird flu endemic in remote regions could be hindered by factors, such as low levels of education and economic dependence on small-scale backyard farming. The baseline data collected in this survey will be useful in monitoring changes over time in the population's perceptions of threat, and its attitude towards compliance with specific public health recommendations.