NATIONAL SURVEY SHOWS THAT 61 PERCENT OF YOUTHS BELIEVE THAT ANTIBIOTICS CAN PROTECT THEM FROM CATCHING A VIRUS
Youths in the U.S. don't necessarily distinguish viruses from other causal agents of illness, and their beliefs regarding the efficacy of prevention options reflect this
ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's young people, tweens (ages 8 to 12) and teens (ages 13 to 18) are raised in a world where potentially deadly viruses frequently make news headlines. In addition to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), recent public attention has also focused on viruses such as those which cause bird flu (avian influenza), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis C (HepC). Prevention messages often target youth and the success of this messaging may well be influenced by kids' and teens' assessment of their own risk and their understanding of what viruses are. Recently, Harris Interactive posed a series of questions to young people about viruses and the illnesses they cause. An astonishing 61 percent of youths agree that antibiotics can protect them from catching a virus. This result and others indicate that youths do not necessarily recognize the differences between viruses and other causal agents of illness (such as bacteria), and their beliefs regarding the efficacy of prevention options reflect this.
These are the results of a nationwide survey of 1,373 U.S. children and teenagers (ages 8 to 18) surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) in collaboration with Southwest Institute for Research on Women at the University of Arizona between March 15 to 20, 2006.
Awareness of viruses
The "common cold" lives up to its name in terms of awareness among youth. Most eight to 18 year olds have heard of it. Awareness of HIV/AIDS is also high among tweens and teens. Nine in 10 (89%) tweens and 95 percent of teens have heard of this disease. Among teens, awareness of bird flu and hepatitis C is also high; nine in 10 (92%) 13 to 18 year olds have heard of these diseases. Awareness of these diseases is lower among tweens. Eight in 10 (82%) eight to 12 year olds have heard of bird flu, but only 61 percent have heard of Hepatitis C.
Likelihood of catching viruses
Kids were also asked whether they thought it was likely that they or one of their friends would catch these virus-caused diseases. Overall, tweens' and teens' assessments of this likelihood were similar. A little under two in 10 youth say it is extremely or very likely that they or their friends could catch HIV/AIDS (17% of teens, 14% of tweens), bird flu (13% of teens, 14% of tweens) or Hepatitis C (13% of teens, 12% of tweens) in their lifetime. However, tweens were more likely than teens to report that it was extremely or very likely that they or their friends could catch a cold in the next year (80% vs. 73%).
What is a virus?
Viruses are not living things. They do not require nutrients, like food and oxygen, to exist; and they do not reproduce, live or die in the same way as any life form does. Although teens are more likely than tweens to be aware of these characteristics, a majority of youth, no matter what their age, do not know this information. They say that:
* A virus is a living thing (79% of teens and 91% of tweens)
* A virus requires nutrients, like food and oxygen to exist (56% of teens and 64% of tweens)
* Viruses reproduce in the same way as any life form does (46% of teens and 60% of tweens)
* Viruses live and die in the same way as any life form does (54% of teens and 65% of tweens)
When asked about ways to protect themselves from catching a virus, teens and tweens emphasize the importance of good hygiene and general healthy behaviors, but do not appear to differentiate between actions focused on viruses versus bacteria. Most youth say that washing their hands would protect them against catching a virus, and nine in 10 also mention staying away from people who are infected and being vaccinated. About eight in 10 say that using antibacterial lotion on their hands would help. Remarkably, six in 10 say that antibiotics offer protection against catching a virus.
TABLE 1 AWARENESS OF VIRUS-CAUSED DISEASES "Have you ever heard of these diseases?" Those saying "Yes"
Base: All respondents
8-12 year olds 13-18 year olds % % Common cold 99 98 HIV or AIDS 89 95 Bird Flu 82 92 HPV or genital warts * 85 Hepatitis C 61 90
* Awareness of HPV/genital warts not asked of 8 to 12 year olds
TABLE 2A LIKELIHOOD OF SELF OR FRIENDS CATCHING DISEASE - 8-12 YEAR OLDS "How likely do you think you or one of your friends could catch this disease...?" Those Saying "Extremely/Very Likely"
Base: All 8-12 year olds
In Next Year In Next Five Years In Lifetime % % %
Common cold 80 87 90 HIV or AIDS 2 4 14 Bird Flu 4 9 14 Hepatitis C 2 4 12
*Awareness of HPV/genital warts not asked of 8 to 12 year olds
TABLE 2B LIKELIHOOD OF SELF OR FRIENDS CATCHING DISEASE - 13-18 YEAR OLDS "How likely do you think you or one of your friends could catch this disease...?" Those Saying "Extremely/Very Likely"
Base: All 13-18 year olds
In Next Year In Next Five Years In Lifetime % % %
Common cold 73 82 86 HIV or AIDS 5 11 17 Bird Flu 2 7 13 HPV or genital warts 3 10 18 Hepatitis C 2 6 13
TABLE 3 PROTECTION AGAINST CATCHING A VIRUS "How much do you agree with the following? I would be protected against catching a virus by...?" Percent Agreeing Strongly or Somewhat
Base: All respondents
8-12 year olds 13-18 year olds % %
Washing my hands 98 95 Staying away from people who are infected 94 87 Being vaccinated 87 88 Eating a balanced diet 90 84 Taking vitamins 92 82 Using antibacterial lotion on my hands 85 77 Exercising 79 78 Staying warm and dry 75 66 Cleaning with bleach 79 60 Taking antibiotics 61 59 Not eating chicken 16 18
Downloadable PDF files of previous issues, and the current issue (which will be posted soon) of Trends and Tudes, which contains this information and more, can be found at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_k12.asp.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive in a collaborative effort with Southwest Institute for Research on Women at the University of Arizona among 1,373 children and teenagers (ages 8-12, n=573) and (ages 13-18, n=800) within the United States between March 15 to 20, 2006. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, parental education, and region were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.
All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.
With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 1,373 respondents one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-3 percentage points. Sampling error for results from subsamples is higher and varies. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
About the Harris Interactive Youth and Education Research Practice
The Youth and Education Research Practice conducts research among children, teens, parents, educators, administrators and policy makers that assists in understanding the lives of children, teens and college students. The team specializes in research related to marketing geared toward the young consumer, to public policy related to youth and education, to family and parenting issues, and satisfaction studies and research that measures the standards of K-12 and higher education in districts across the nation. The practice conducts custom and syndicated studies both for non-profit and for- profit organizations.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world's largest panel of survey respondents: The Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com/.
Press Contact:
Jennifer Cummings Harris Interactive 585-214-7720
Harris Interactive Inc. 07/06
DATASOURCE: Harris Interactive
CONTACT: Jennifer Cummings of Harris Interactive, +1-585-214-7720
Web site: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_k12.asp
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/
http://www.harrispollonline.com/
http://orange.advfn.com/news_Nation...elieve-That-Antibiotics-Can-Pro_16058634.html
Youths in the U.S. don't necessarily distinguish viruses from other causal agents of illness, and their beliefs regarding the efficacy of prevention options reflect this
ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's young people, tweens (ages 8 to 12) and teens (ages 13 to 18) are raised in a world where potentially deadly viruses frequently make news headlines. In addition to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), recent public attention has also focused on viruses such as those which cause bird flu (avian influenza), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis C (HepC). Prevention messages often target youth and the success of this messaging may well be influenced by kids' and teens' assessment of their own risk and their understanding of what viruses are. Recently, Harris Interactive posed a series of questions to young people about viruses and the illnesses they cause. An astonishing 61 percent of youths agree that antibiotics can protect them from catching a virus. This result and others indicate that youths do not necessarily recognize the differences between viruses and other causal agents of illness (such as bacteria), and their beliefs regarding the efficacy of prevention options reflect this.
These are the results of a nationwide survey of 1,373 U.S. children and teenagers (ages 8 to 18) surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) in collaboration with Southwest Institute for Research on Women at the University of Arizona between March 15 to 20, 2006.
Awareness of viruses
The "common cold" lives up to its name in terms of awareness among youth. Most eight to 18 year olds have heard of it. Awareness of HIV/AIDS is also high among tweens and teens. Nine in 10 (89%) tweens and 95 percent of teens have heard of this disease. Among teens, awareness of bird flu and hepatitis C is also high; nine in 10 (92%) 13 to 18 year olds have heard of these diseases. Awareness of these diseases is lower among tweens. Eight in 10 (82%) eight to 12 year olds have heard of bird flu, but only 61 percent have heard of Hepatitis C.
Likelihood of catching viruses
Kids were also asked whether they thought it was likely that they or one of their friends would catch these virus-caused diseases. Overall, tweens' and teens' assessments of this likelihood were similar. A little under two in 10 youth say it is extremely or very likely that they or their friends could catch HIV/AIDS (17% of teens, 14% of tweens), bird flu (13% of teens, 14% of tweens) or Hepatitis C (13% of teens, 12% of tweens) in their lifetime. However, tweens were more likely than teens to report that it was extremely or very likely that they or their friends could catch a cold in the next year (80% vs. 73%).
What is a virus?
Viruses are not living things. They do not require nutrients, like food and oxygen, to exist; and they do not reproduce, live or die in the same way as any life form does. Although teens are more likely than tweens to be aware of these characteristics, a majority of youth, no matter what their age, do not know this information. They say that:
* A virus is a living thing (79% of teens and 91% of tweens)
* A virus requires nutrients, like food and oxygen to exist (56% of teens and 64% of tweens)
* Viruses reproduce in the same way as any life form does (46% of teens and 60% of tweens)
* Viruses live and die in the same way as any life form does (54% of teens and 65% of tweens)
When asked about ways to protect themselves from catching a virus, teens and tweens emphasize the importance of good hygiene and general healthy behaviors, but do not appear to differentiate between actions focused on viruses versus bacteria. Most youth say that washing their hands would protect them against catching a virus, and nine in 10 also mention staying away from people who are infected and being vaccinated. About eight in 10 say that using antibacterial lotion on their hands would help. Remarkably, six in 10 say that antibiotics offer protection against catching a virus.
TABLE 1 AWARENESS OF VIRUS-CAUSED DISEASES "Have you ever heard of these diseases?" Those saying "Yes"
Base: All respondents
8-12 year olds 13-18 year olds % % Common cold 99 98 HIV or AIDS 89 95 Bird Flu 82 92 HPV or genital warts * 85 Hepatitis C 61 90
* Awareness of HPV/genital warts not asked of 8 to 12 year olds
TABLE 2A LIKELIHOOD OF SELF OR FRIENDS CATCHING DISEASE - 8-12 YEAR OLDS "How likely do you think you or one of your friends could catch this disease...?" Those Saying "Extremely/Very Likely"
Base: All 8-12 year olds
In Next Year In Next Five Years In Lifetime % % %
Common cold 80 87 90 HIV or AIDS 2 4 14 Bird Flu 4 9 14 Hepatitis C 2 4 12
*Awareness of HPV/genital warts not asked of 8 to 12 year olds
TABLE 2B LIKELIHOOD OF SELF OR FRIENDS CATCHING DISEASE - 13-18 YEAR OLDS "How likely do you think you or one of your friends could catch this disease...?" Those Saying "Extremely/Very Likely"
Base: All 13-18 year olds
In Next Year In Next Five Years In Lifetime % % %
Common cold 73 82 86 HIV or AIDS 5 11 17 Bird Flu 2 7 13 HPV or genital warts 3 10 18 Hepatitis C 2 6 13
TABLE 3 PROTECTION AGAINST CATCHING A VIRUS "How much do you agree with the following? I would be protected against catching a virus by...?" Percent Agreeing Strongly or Somewhat
Base: All respondents
8-12 year olds 13-18 year olds % %
Washing my hands 98 95 Staying away from people who are infected 94 87 Being vaccinated 87 88 Eating a balanced diet 90 84 Taking vitamins 92 82 Using antibacterial lotion on my hands 85 77 Exercising 79 78 Staying warm and dry 75 66 Cleaning with bleach 79 60 Taking antibiotics 61 59 Not eating chicken 16 18
Downloadable PDF files of previous issues, and the current issue (which will be posted soon) of Trends and Tudes, which contains this information and more, can be found at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_k12.asp.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive in a collaborative effort with Southwest Institute for Research on Women at the University of Arizona among 1,373 children and teenagers (ages 8-12, n=573) and (ages 13-18, n=800) within the United States between March 15 to 20, 2006. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, parental education, and region were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.
All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.
With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 1,373 respondents one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-3 percentage points. Sampling error for results from subsamples is higher and varies. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
About the Harris Interactive Youth and Education Research Practice
The Youth and Education Research Practice conducts research among children, teens, parents, educators, administrators and policy makers that assists in understanding the lives of children, teens and college students. The team specializes in research related to marketing geared toward the young consumer, to public policy related to youth and education, to family and parenting issues, and satisfaction studies and research that measures the standards of K-12 and higher education in districts across the nation. The practice conducts custom and syndicated studies both for non-profit and for- profit organizations.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world's largest panel of survey respondents: The Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com/.
Press Contact:
Jennifer Cummings Harris Interactive 585-214-7720
Harris Interactive Inc. 07/06
DATASOURCE: Harris Interactive
CONTACT: Jennifer Cummings of Harris Interactive, +1-585-214-7720
Web site: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_k12.asp
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/
http://www.harrispollonline.com/
http://orange.advfn.com/news_Nation...elieve-That-Antibiotics-Can-Pro_16058634.html