tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Published online before print August 13, 2013, doi: 10.1177/0963662513495149 Public Understanding of Science August 13, 2013 0963662513495149
Public media communications about H1N1, risk perceptions and immunization behaviours: A Quebec?France comparison
C?cile Rousseau cecile.rousseau@mcgill.ca
McGill University, Canada
Nicolas Moreau
University of Ottawa, Canada
Marie-Pier Dumas
McGill University, Canada
Ida Bost
CNRS Laboratoire d?Ethnologie et de Sociologie comparative, France
Sylvie Lefebvre
University Lyon II, France
La?titia Atlani-Duault
CNRS Laboratoire d?Ethnologie et de Sociologie comparative, France
Abstract
During the H1N1 pandemic, governments tailored their communications plans in order to influence risk perception and promote public compliance with the public health plan measures. Considering the volume and the content of calls to flu information centres as indicators of the public risk perception, this mixed method study compares the relation between public communications, risk perception and immunization behaviour in Quebec and France. Results suggest that advocating for clear information and coordination between health authorities and the media promotes adherence to preventive behaviour. However, over-exaggerating the risks and minimizing the population?s agency may undermine health authority credibility.
http://pus.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/08/07/0963662513495149.abstract
Public media communications about H1N1, risk perceptions and immunization behaviours: A Quebec?France comparison
C?cile Rousseau cecile.rousseau@mcgill.ca
McGill University, Canada
Nicolas Moreau
University of Ottawa, Canada
Marie-Pier Dumas
McGill University, Canada
Ida Bost
CNRS Laboratoire d?Ethnologie et de Sociologie comparative, France
Sylvie Lefebvre
University Lyon II, France
La?titia Atlani-Duault
CNRS Laboratoire d?Ethnologie et de Sociologie comparative, France
Abstract
During the H1N1 pandemic, governments tailored their communications plans in order to influence risk perception and promote public compliance with the public health plan measures. Considering the volume and the content of calls to flu information centres as indicators of the public risk perception, this mixed method study compares the relation between public communications, risk perception and immunization behaviour in Quebec and France. Results suggest that advocating for clear information and coordination between health authorities and the media promotes adherence to preventive behaviour. However, over-exaggerating the risks and minimizing the population?s agency may undermine health authority credibility.
http://pus.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/08/07/0963662513495149.abstract