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SARS preventive and risk behaviours of Hong Kong air travellers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2004

JOSEPH T. F. LAU ,
XILIN YANG ,
HIYI TSUI ,
ELLIE PANG  and
JEAN H. KIM
JOSEPH T. F. LAU
Affiliation:
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
XILIN YANG
Affiliation:
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
HIYI TSUI
Affiliation:
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
ELLIE PANG
Affiliation:
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
JEAN H. KIM
Affiliation:
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Abstract

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This study aims to investigate Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-related behaviours of travellers returning to Hong Kong by air. A total of 820 travellers returning to Hong Kong by air were interviewed about their SARS-related behaviours in April 2003. Three quarters of the respondents wore a mask most/all of the time on board, 15% did so in public places at the travel destination. Perceived susceptibility to SARS at the destination predicted mask-wearing in public places and avoidance of crowded places, and perceived efficacy was a predictor for mask-wearing during flight. Approximately 16% of the respondents stated that they would delay their medical consultation for flu-like symptoms until returning to Hong Kong. Nearly 18·2% stated that they would not wear a mask in public places at the destination if they had flu-like symptoms. Education programmes, special services and effective thermal screening are required to minimize the chance of the spread of SARS by air travellers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 132 , Issue 4 , August 2004 , pp. 727 - 736
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press