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Flemington, NJ, September 8, 2009 – A new national study among 756 physicians revealed that physicians are taking a more precautionary approach to protect against the H1N1 virus, including washing their hands more frequently and avoiding crowded events.
The study was conducted during September 4-8 by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website, and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO), as part of a series of studies which have been conducted since April to obtain physicians’ perceptions of the H1N1 virus. The studies are being conducted on a weekly basis to measure physicians’ personal and professional views on the issue.
Physicians’ level of concern continues to remain at an elevated state showing a slight increase when comparing to last’s month’s study conducted on August 25. The majority of doctors reported that the extensive media coverage surrounding the virus is appropriate, while more than one-third (36%) indicated that the widespread coverage is too much.
Among the findings:
“Please indicate how you have changed your behavior or life style since becoming aware of the H1N1 swine flu. Check all that apply.”
|
|
Wk 2 |
Wk 3 |
Wk 4 |
Wk 5 |
Wk 6 |
Wk 7 |
Wk 8 |
Wk 9 |
Wk 10 |
|
Decreased air travel |
7% |
6% |
5% |
5% |
6% |
6% |
6% |
6% |
7% |
|
Decrease dinning out |
5% |
4% |
3% |
4% |
3% |
4% |
5% |
3% |
4% |
|
Avoid going to crowded events |
13% |
10% |
7% |
8% |
8% |
10% |
11% |
9% |
13% |
|
Wash hands more frequently |
40% |
35% |
34% |
36% |
37% |
37% |
39% |
41% |
47% |
|
Start wearing protective mask |
4% |
3% |
2% |
3% |
3% |
3% |
4% |
3% |
5% |
|
Spend more time at home |
6% |
6% |
5% |
5% |
5% |
5% |
7% |
5% |
7% |
|
Other changes of behaviors |
2% |
2% |
2% |
2% |
2% |
2% |
3% |
2% |
3% |
|
None - I have not changed any of my behavior or life style |
56% |
61% |
62% |
59% |
58% |
59% |
56% |
55% |
49% |
Please indicate the level of risk that the H1N1 swine flu could result in a catastrophic pandemic. Use a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 indicates "No Risk" and 7 indicates "Extremely High Risk."
|
|
Wk 1 |
Wk 2 |
Wk 3 |
Wk 4 |
Wk 5 |
Wk 6 |
Wk 7 |
Wk 8 |
Wk 9 |
Wk 10 |
|
1-No Risk |
1% |
2% |
3% |
2% |
3% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
|
2-Low Risk |
13% |
27% |
26% |
33% |
25% |
22% |
19% |
15% |
14% |
12% |
|
Bottom 2 |
14% |
30% |
29% |
35% |
28% |
24% |
20% |
16% |
15% |
14% |
|
3-Somewhat Low Risk |
14% |
18% |
17% |
16% |
16% |
15% |
13% |
13% |
12% |
14% |
|
4-Neither At Risk or Not At Risk |
9% |
12% |
14% |
14% |
12% |
13% |
12% |
13% |
13% |
10% |
|
5-Somewhat |
49% |
31% |
33% |
29% |
37% |
36% |
41% |
44% |
45% |
47% |
|
Top 2 |
14% |
9% |
8% |
6% |
7% |
12% |
13% |
14% |
15% |
15% |
|
6-High Risk |
12% |
7% |
7% |
6% |
6% |
10% |
11% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
|
7-Extremely High Risk |
2% |
1% |
1% |
0% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
2% |
|
MEAN |
4.4 |
3.7 Neutral |
3.7 Neutral |
3.5 Neutral |
3.8 Neutral |
4.0 Neutral |
4.1 Neutral |
4.3 Neutral |
4.3 Neutral |
4.4 Neutral |
“What do you think about media coverage concerning the H1N1 virus?”
|
|
Total |
|
Too much media coverage |
36% |
|
Right amount of media coverage |
57% |
|
Not enough media coverage |
7% |
Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net). You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mediacurves and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flemington-NJ/MediaCurves/86691908820
HCD Research, a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. MediaCurves.com® (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements. For more information on mediacurves.com, please contact Barbara Taylor, director, MediaCurves.com, at (908) 483-9146 or (barbara.taylor@hcdi.net).
