Perceived and network organizational connectivity and public health preparedness in Alberta

Background

Limited knowledge exists on the predictors of organizational- and system-level public health preparedness. The current work seeks to address whether perceived organizational connectivity serves as a proxy measure of formal ties objectively reported or received by organizations with respect to pandemic influenza preparedness.

Methods

During late 2007-early 2008, using a stratified random sampling technique, a geographically representative sample of organizations across four jurisdictional levels was selected to complete a web-based questionnaire assessing public health preparedness for agencies across Alberta, Canada. Organizational representatives were asked to describe their organizational attributes, perceived connectivity, inter-organizational networks, and preparedness. Pearson correlations were calculated between the mean in-degree and out-degree centrality scores and the mean perceived organizational connectivity score for the sample. ANOVA and independent samples t-tests assessed if there were significant differences in connectivity scores between jurisdictional levels.

Results

Perceived connectivity was significantly correlated with out-degree centrality (p<0.05), but not with in-degree centrality. Mean in-degree and out-degree centrality scores varied significantly across jurisdictional levels (F(3,116)=26.60, p<0.001 and F(3,116)=5.24, p<0.01 respectively). Independent samples t-tests showed that in each case the higher jurisdictional level had a significantly larger centrality score such that provincial level organizations reported the highest scores while town/village level organizations reported the lowest scores.

Conclusions

Perceived organizational connectivity serves as a proxy measure of formal ties objectively reported, but not received, by organizations with respect to pandemic influenza preparedness. The findings of this study offer an effective and timely means of assessing organizational connectivity, a critical component of public health preparedness.