The knowledge level and precautionary measures taken by older adults during the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong

Int J Nurs Stud. 2004 Nov;41(8):901-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2004.04.004.

Abstract

The study aims to examine the knowledge and the practice of the precautionary measures taken by older adults in Hong Kong against the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Overall, more than half the participants responded correctly that droplet transmission is one of the main transmission routes of SARS. Those who received formal education demonstrated that they acquired greater knowledge of the sources and precautionary measures for SARS. The types of precautionary measures used and the factors affecting their behaviours were discussed. The results of the study could help the health-care professionals develop appropriate health promotion and disease prevention programmes for older adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged* / psychology
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / prevention & control*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Health Education / standards
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Care / methods
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / transmission
  • Surveys and Questionnaires