Volume 11, Number 3—March 2005
Research
SARS-related Perceptions in Hong Kong
Joseph T.F. Lau*
, Xilin Yang*, Ellie Pang*, H.Y. Tsui*, Eric Wong*, and Yun Kwok Wing*
, Xilin Yang*, Ellie Pang*, H.Y. Tsui*, Eric Wong*, and Yun Kwok Wing*Table 3
Perceptions related to mode of transmission, medical development, and epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (survey 1 data)
| % agreeing with statements | Men (n = 428), % | Women (n = 435), % | Total (N = 863), % | p value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode of transmission | ||||
| SARS is transmittable through respiratory droplets | 86.7 | 88.5 | 87.6 | 0.416 |
| SARS is transmittable through fomites | 87.1 | 87.6 | 87.4 | 0.847 |
| SARS is transmittable through aerosols | 47.2 | 51.3 | 49.2 | 0.232 |
| SARS is transmittable through rats and cockroaches | 70.6 | 79.3 | 75.0 | 0.003 |
| SARS is transmittable through pets | 66.6 | 63.4 | 65.0 | 0.333 |
| SARS is transmittable through sewage | 86.7 | 92.0 | 89.3 | 0.012 |
| There is a high likelihood of contracting SARS through wild animal meat | 77.4 | 87.6 | 82.6 | <0.001 |
| Perceived efficacy of preventive measures | ||||
| Wearing masks in public places could effectively prevent SARS | 92.0 | 93.3 | 92.7 | 0.471 |
| Disinfecting living quarters could effectively prevent SARS | 96.0 | 98.6 | 97.3 | 0.018 |
| Frequent hand washing could effectively prevent SARS | 96.3 | 99.3 | 97.8 | 0.002 |
| Vaccination against influenza could effectively prevent SARS | 44.6 | 47.7 | 46.2 | 0.363 |
| Intake of traditional Chinese medicine could effectively prevent SARS | 36.6 | 44.2 | 40.5 | 0.023 |
| Medical development | ||||
| SARS vaccines would be developed in a year | 47.2 | 44.7 | 45.9 | 0.462 |
| No effective drugs available to treat SARS | 82.9 | 80.5 | 81.7 | 0.345 |
| Epidemiology of SARS | ||||
| Old people are more likely than others to contract SARS | 68.9 | 70.5 | 69.7 | 0.613 |
| SARS mortality rate >50% for patients >60 years old | 44.7 | 47.6 | 46.2 | 0.400 |
*Chi-square test.
