Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.leaderpost.com/health/Si...n+worried+about+H1N1+virus/1970727/story.html
Sigma Analytics survey suggests few in Saskatchewan are worried about H1N1 virus
By Anne Kyle, The Leader-PostSeptember 8, 2009 8:36 AM
Nearly half of Saskatchewan's residents aren't worried about becoming ill with the H1N1 virus, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the Leader-Post.
A Sigma Analytics survey found that 46 per cent said they weren't overly concerned, while 30 per cent didn't voice a strong opinion either way.
Those who did voice concerns were primarily women and First Nations people.
Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's deputy chief medical health officer, said that lack of concern could be, in part, a response to the Ministry of Health's dual message.
"For most people (H1N1) is a mild illness, so we are giving the message 'Wash your hands and cough in your sleeve. Don't worry, be happy.' But on the other hand what we are saying is, 'Be aware of your health status,' " Shahab said.
"Carry on with your daily activities, but if you become ill stay home at least two to three days or until you get better."
However, if pregnant women or anyone with underlying health conditions develop symptoms -- fever, sore throat and a cough -- they should seek medical attention. That advice is also extended to healthy individuals, who develop severe symptoms from the onset or whose condition worsens.
People might not be worried now, but that could change as the second wave hits and people become ill, NDP health critic Judy Junor said.
"I think we should be ahead of that curve, and have the answers ready so we can assure the public that 'Yes, we are ready. We are right on top of this,' " Junor said.
Just because there is not a lot of communication going on, doesn't mean there isn't a lot of planning being done in anticipation that up to 10 per cent of the workforce could be stricken with the virus and absent from work, Shahab said.
Hospitals are already running at capacity and a 10- to 15-per cent influx of H1N1 patient admissions combined with high staff absenteeism rates will stretch resources, he said, adding the health system has to plan for that extra surge.
"You plan for the worse case scenario and hope that immunization comes before the second wave and if there is a good uptake of immunization that will help blunt the second wave,'' he said.
While three out of every four people were confident they would be able to get vaccinated in a timely way, only 59 per cent said they would actually get an H1N1 flu shot, the survey said. One in five people said they weren't likely to get vaccinated.
Among the 40 per cent indicating they were unlikely or uncertain about getting the H1N1 vaccine, three out of five expressed concerns about potential side effects. Those with the greatest reservations lived in Moose Jaw and the southeast region.
"It is up to everybody to make their own call, but when you do a vaccination, presumably, you want it to be as close to universal as possible so that it has the maximum impact in limiting the downsides for everybody,'' said Cam Cooper of Sigma Analytics.
But Shahab explained the province ordered 1.5 million does of H1N1 vaccine on the assumption the uptake won't differ much from the percentage of the general public who normally get seasonal flu shots. If it is higher, he added he would be delighted.
More than 80 per cent of Saskatchewan residents are aware of the H1N1 pandemic and that pandemic planning is underway, according to the survey. And while 47 per cent said they were satisfied with the pandemic planning, another 40 per cent had no opinion which likely reflects their lack of knowledge of the details of those preparations, Cooper said.
"On the whole, people are comfortable with the preparation, so really what you need to do is be ready to put those plans into gear when the thing does come on, if it does," he said.
However, Junor said she isn't convinced the province is doing a good job communicating its plans, particularly to front-line health-care workers.
Shahab agreed, saying the province and health regions must do a better job communicating information to the front-line workers.
Sigma Analytics is a Saskatchewan firm providing data mining and modeling, attitudinal polling and market research.
A total of 611 adults, over the age 18, participated in the poll between Aug. 27 and Sept. 1. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.96 per cent, 19 times out of 20. The sample was drawn province-wide and stratified by 10 regions so that response in each region met a quota determined by that region's share of the province's population.
Sigma Analytics survey suggests few in Saskatchewan are worried about H1N1 virus
By Anne Kyle, The Leader-PostSeptember 8, 2009 8:36 AM
Nearly half of Saskatchewan's residents aren't worried about becoming ill with the H1N1 virus, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the Leader-Post.
A Sigma Analytics survey found that 46 per cent said they weren't overly concerned, while 30 per cent didn't voice a strong opinion either way.
Those who did voice concerns were primarily women and First Nations people.
Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's deputy chief medical health officer, said that lack of concern could be, in part, a response to the Ministry of Health's dual message.
"For most people (H1N1) is a mild illness, so we are giving the message 'Wash your hands and cough in your sleeve. Don't worry, be happy.' But on the other hand what we are saying is, 'Be aware of your health status,' " Shahab said.
"Carry on with your daily activities, but if you become ill stay home at least two to three days or until you get better."
However, if pregnant women or anyone with underlying health conditions develop symptoms -- fever, sore throat and a cough -- they should seek medical attention. That advice is also extended to healthy individuals, who develop severe symptoms from the onset or whose condition worsens.
People might not be worried now, but that could change as the second wave hits and people become ill, NDP health critic Judy Junor said.
"I think we should be ahead of that curve, and have the answers ready so we can assure the public that 'Yes, we are ready. We are right on top of this,' " Junor said.
Just because there is not a lot of communication going on, doesn't mean there isn't a lot of planning being done in anticipation that up to 10 per cent of the workforce could be stricken with the virus and absent from work, Shahab said.
Hospitals are already running at capacity and a 10- to 15-per cent influx of H1N1 patient admissions combined with high staff absenteeism rates will stretch resources, he said, adding the health system has to plan for that extra surge.
"You plan for the worse case scenario and hope that immunization comes before the second wave and if there is a good uptake of immunization that will help blunt the second wave,'' he said.
While three out of every four people were confident they would be able to get vaccinated in a timely way, only 59 per cent said they would actually get an H1N1 flu shot, the survey said. One in five people said they weren't likely to get vaccinated.
Among the 40 per cent indicating they were unlikely or uncertain about getting the H1N1 vaccine, three out of five expressed concerns about potential side effects. Those with the greatest reservations lived in Moose Jaw and the southeast region.
"It is up to everybody to make their own call, but when you do a vaccination, presumably, you want it to be as close to universal as possible so that it has the maximum impact in limiting the downsides for everybody,'' said Cam Cooper of Sigma Analytics.
But Shahab explained the province ordered 1.5 million does of H1N1 vaccine on the assumption the uptake won't differ much from the percentage of the general public who normally get seasonal flu shots. If it is higher, he added he would be delighted.
More than 80 per cent of Saskatchewan residents are aware of the H1N1 pandemic and that pandemic planning is underway, according to the survey. And while 47 per cent said they were satisfied with the pandemic planning, another 40 per cent had no opinion which likely reflects their lack of knowledge of the details of those preparations, Cooper said.
"On the whole, people are comfortable with the preparation, so really what you need to do is be ready to put those plans into gear when the thing does come on, if it does," he said.
However, Junor said she isn't convinced the province is doing a good job communicating its plans, particularly to front-line health-care workers.
Shahab agreed, saying the province and health regions must do a better job communicating information to the front-line workers.
Sigma Analytics is a Saskatchewan firm providing data mining and modeling, attitudinal polling and market research.
A total of 611 adults, over the age 18, participated in the poll between Aug. 27 and Sept. 1. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.96 per cent, 19 times out of 20. The sample was drawn province-wide and stratified by 10 regions so that response in each region met a quota determined by that region's share of the province's population.