Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105883

Keri Jupka, MPH¹, Ricardo J. Wray, PhD¹, Tony Russo¹, Amanda Whitworth¹, Jennifer Rivers¹, Heather A. Jacobsen, MPH², Suzy Walker, RN, BSN³, and Bruce W. Clements, MPH⁴. (1) Health Communication Research Laboratory, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, 314-977-4084, jupkaka@slu.edu, (2) Health Communication Research Laboratory, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, 3545 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104, (3) School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63104, (4) Saint Louis University, School of Public Health, Center for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections, 3545 Lafayette Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63104

Print and broadcast informational materials for use in the event of an intentional release of the bacteria that cause plague were pre-tested using focus groups and cognitive response testing (CRT) interviews with diverse audience segments. Ten focus groups and 30 CRT interviews were conducted with African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, and English as a Second Language students in urban and rural regions of the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and West. All focus groups emphasized the need for clear action steps and clear explanations of symptoms, detection and treatment in all communication channels. Participants struggled to remember the main points and action steps provided in the radio spots. Slower delivery, repetition, and contact information for local and national information sources would make radio spots more useful they reported. Most groups preferred television for emergency risk information. Location of an event is important for television viewers, helping orient them on what to do to stay safe. Participants preferred print materials for reference, noting that they provided the most in-depth information. Analysis of the CRT interviews found that participants struggled with ambiguity of symptoms and technical words including: antibiotics, respiratory droplets, and infection. Few differences were found between the groups when compared by ethnicity or urban vs. rural residence. Overall, participants recommended that emergency risk message strategies should emphasize action steps, utilize credible sources, and be readily available after an attack. Sample materials revised based on pre-test findings will be presented, along with general implications for risk communication message design.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the needs of the general public when coping with a bioterrorism attack using an infectious disease such as plague.
• Understand the use of different mass media channels when communicating during an emergency involving a terrorist attack using an infectious disease.
• Understand key elements of message strategies for emergency risk messages responding to the intentional release of the bacteria that cause plague.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Risk Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation