Ebola risk perception in Germany, 2014

Abstract

Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks have occurred during the past 5 decades, but none has affected European countries like the 2014 epidemic in West Africa. We used an online questionnaire to investigate risk perceptions in Germany during this epidemic peak. Our questionnaire covered risk perceptions, knowledge about transmission routes, media use, reactions to the outbreak, attitudes toward measures to prevent the spread of EVD and vaccination against EVD, and willingness to volunteer for aid missions. Of 974 participants, 29% indicated that they worried about EVD, 4% correctly stated virus transmission routes, and 75% incorrectly rated airborne transmission and transmission by asymptomatic patients as possible. Many indicated that if a patient were flown to Germany for treatment in a nearby hospital, they would adapt preventive behavior. Although most participants were not worried about EVD at the current stage of the epidemic, misperceptions regarding transmission were common and could trigger inappropriate behavior changes.

Keywords: EVD; Ebola; Ebola virus; Ebola virus disease; Germany; behavior; hemorrhagic fever; perception; risk; transmission; viruses.

Figure

Personal behavior and attitudes toward measures against the spread of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and toward vaccination against EVD. Black, worried about EVD; gray, not worried about EVD; NS, not significant. *χ² test p<0.05. †“Yes” to at least 1 of 5 items (avoid contact with African acquaintances; avoid contact with African persons in public places; avoid going to public events; avoid using public transportation; engage in precautionary purchases). ‡“Yes” to at least 1 of 7 items (avoid public events/crowded places; avoid using public transportation; avoid physical contact with other persons; increase hygiene behavior; wear face mask outside of the home; avoid admission to the same hospital; avoid visiting friends admitted to the same hospital).