Influenza pandemic preparedness: motivation for protection among small and medium businesses in Australia

Abstract

BackgroundCommunity-wide preparedness for pandemic influenza is an issue that has featured prominently in the recent news media, and is currently a priority for health authorities in many countries. The small and medium business sector is a major provider of private sector employment in Australia, yet we have little information about the preparedness of this sector for pandemic influenza. This study aimed to investigate the association between individual perceptions and preparedness for pandemic influenza among small and medium business owners and managers.MethodsSemi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 201 small and medium business owners or managers in New South Wales and Western Australia. Eligible small or medium businesses were defined as those that had less than 200 employees. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of having considered the impact of, having a plan for, and needing help to prepare for pandemic influenza.ResultsApproximately 6 per cent of participants reported that their business had a plan for pandemic influenza, 39 per cent reported that they had not thought at all about the impact of pandemic influenza on their business, and over 60 per cent stated that they required help to prepare for a pandemic. Beliefs about the severity of pandemic influenza and the ability to respond were significant independent predictors of having a plan for pandemic influenza, and the perception of the risk of pandemic influenza was the most important predictor of both having considered the impact of, and needing help to prepare for a pandemic.ConclusionOur findings suggest that small and medium businesses in Australia are not currently well prepared for pandemic influenza. We found that beliefs about the risk, severity, and the ability to respond effectively to the threat of pandemic influenza are important predictors of preparedness. Campaigns targeting small and medium businesses should emphasise the severity of the consequences to their businesses if a pandemic were to occur, and, at the same time, reassure them that there are effective strategies capable of being implemented by small and medium businesses to deal with a pandemic.

Horse owners’ biosecurity practices following the first equine influenza outbreak in Australia

“…Further, increasing severity consistently leads to greater intentions to behave in a health-protective manner (Rogers and Mewborn, 1976;Rogers, 1997) and fear appeals have been shown to motivate or persuade humans to protect animals as well (Shelton, 1981). Similarly, severity was an important predictive factor for influenza preparedness in a study among Australian businesses (Watkins, 2007).…”

Pandemic Influenza and Community Preparedness

“…This concern may relate to the potential for loss of income or job if they comply with government recommendations, such as home isolation or quarantine, as shown by Blendon et al 27 Our findings and those of other studies suggest that educational interventions are required to improve trust in the community and to promote effective coping mechanisms that could support implementation of government strategies. 28,29 As a component of a pandemic influenza education campaign, the community must be made aware that the routine influenza vaccine will not provide protection against a novel strain and that an effective vaccine will need to be developed. 30,31 In addition, the community will need to be aware that because of delays in the provision of a vaccine, other preventive measures will be required to minimize the spread of infection, many of which could be promoted for use during seasonal outbreaks.…”

Corporate Preparedness for Pandemic Influenza: A Survey of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies in Montgomery County, Maryland

“…This is consistent with previous findings that small and mediumsized companies are the least likely to be prepared, and, unfortunately, they are also likely to be the hardest hit during a pandemic. 28,29 It has been reported that approximately two-thirds of biotechnology companies have fewer than 50 employees. 22 This study had a higher percentage of small companies (80%), possibly because the selected region is one of the hotbed clusters in the biotechnology industry and more likely to foster new companies.…”