TY - JOUR AU - Lau, Joseph T.F. AU - Yang, Xilin AU - Pang, Ellie AU - Tsui, H.Y. AU - Wong, Eric AU - Wing, Yun Kwok T1 - SARS-related Perceptions in Hong Kong T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2005 VL - 11 IS - 3 SP - 417 SN - 1080-6059 AB - To understand different aspects of community responses related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), 2 population-based, random telephone surveys were conducted in June 2003 and January 2004 in Hong Kong. More than 70% of respondents would avoid visiting hospitals or mainland China to avoid contracting SARS. Most respondents believed that SARS could be transmitted through droplets, fomites, sewage, and animals. More than 90% believed that public health measures were efficacious means of prevention; 40.4% believed that SARS would resurge in Hong Kong; and ≈70% would then wear masks in public places. High percentages of respondents felt helpless, horrified, and apprehensive because of SARS. Approximately 16% showed signs of posttraumatic symptoms, and ≈40% perceived increased stress in family or work settings. The general public in Hong Kong has been very vigilant about SARS but needs to be more psychologically prepared to face a resurgence of the epidemic. KW - Keywords: Hong Kong KW - SARS KW - community responses KW - perceptions KW - mental health KW - Chinese KW - Hong Kong DO - 10.3201/eid1103.040675 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/11/3/04-0675_article ER - End of Reference