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Illness representation on H1N1 influenza and preventive behaviors in the Hong Kong general population

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Journal of Health Psychology: An Interdisciplinary, International Journal

Published online on

Abstract

This study examined illness representations of new influenza Human Swine Influenza A (H1N1) and association with H1N1 preventive behaviors among 300 Chinese adults using a population-based randomized telephone survey. Results showed that relatively few participants thought H1N1 would have serious consequences (12%–15.7%) and few showed negative emotional responses toward H1N1 (9%–24.7%). The majority of the participants thought H1N1 could be controlled by treatment (70.4%–72.7%). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that treatment control (odds ratio = 1.78) and psychological attribution (odds ratio = .75) were associated with intention to take up influenza vaccination. Emotional representations were associated with lower likelihood of wearing face mask (odds ratio = .77) and hand washing (odds ratio = .67). Results confirm that illness representation variables are associated with H1N1 preventive behaviors.