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 2
Perceptions related to resurgence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and associated behaviors (survey 1 data)
| Perceptions | Men (n = 428), % | Women (n = 435), % | Total (N = 863), % | p value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resurgence of SARS | ||||
| There will be a resurgence of SARS in Hong Kong in the coming 6 months | 37.4 | 43.4 | 40.4 | 0.069 |
| There will be a resurgence of SARS in China in the coming 6 months | 66.6 | 71.3 | 68.9 | 0.138 |
| There will be a resurgence of SARS overseas in the coming 6 months | 29.9 | 28.3 | 29.1 | 0.613 |
| No major outbreaks even if SARS returns to Hong Kong | 71.3 | 68.3 | 69.8 | 0.340 |
| The government could control SARS if there were a few sporadic new SARS cases in Hong Kong | 80.3 | 80.2 | 80.3 | 0.958 |
| Preventive behavior if a few new SARS cases were reported in Hong Kong | ||||
| Would frequently wear a mask in public places | 70.7 | 71.7 | 71.2 | 0.730 |
| Would avoid going to crowded places | 71.5 | 77.9 | 74.8 | 0.031 |
| Would avoid going to mainland China | 69.6 | 79.7 | 74.7 | 0.001 |
| Would not allow children to go to school | 13.5 | 12.1 | 12.8 | 0.536 |
| Would avoid going to hospitals | 67.3 | 76.3 | 71.8 | 0.003 |
| Would avoid contacts with medical personnel | 35.8 | 38.4 | 37.1 | 0.437 |
| Would avoid contacts with tourists coming from mainland China | 31.5 | 37.8 | 34.7 | 0.051 |
| Perceived emotional responses if a few new cases were reported in Hong Kong | ||||
| Would be in a state of panic | 14.0 | 23.0 | 18.6 | 0.001 |
| Would be very depressed | 12.1 | 17.7 | 14.9 | 0.020 |
| Am still emotionally disturbed because of SARS | 33.0 | 39.5 | 36.3 | 0.047 |
| Current preventive behavior | ||||
| Would avoid visiting hospitals to prevent contracting SARS | 65.0 | 68.3 | 66.7 | 0.311 |
| Would avoid visiting China to prevent contracting SARS | 64.4 | 72.8 | 68.6 | 0.008 |
| Would make a health declaration if crossing the border and had influenza | 79.3 | 84.3 | 81.9 | 0.058 |
| Would see a local physician if had influenza in mainland China | 37.6 | 39.8 | 38.7 | 0.498 |
| Would see a local physician if had influenza overseas | 79.3 | 84.8 | 82.1 | 0.039 |
| Would wear a mask if I had influenza when traveling by air | 87.3 | 91.0 | 89.2 | 0.079 |
*Chi-square test.
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