Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · Jul 2010
Influenza A/H1N1v in pregnancy: an investigation of the characteristics and management of affected women and the relationship to pregnancy outcomes for mother and infant.
In April 2009 a novel influenza A virus (AH1N1v) of swine origin (swine flu) emerged, spreading rapidly and achieving pandemic status in June 2009. Pregnant women were identified as being at high risk of severe influenza-related complications and as a priority group for vaccination against AH1N1v. Limited information was available about the maternal and fetal risks of AH1N1v infection or of antiviral drug or AH1N1v vaccine use in pregnancy. ⋯ Earlier treatment with antiviral agents is associated with improved outcomes for pregnant women and further actions are needed in future pandemics to ensure that antiviral agents and vaccines are provided promptly to pregnant women, particularly in the primary care setting. Further research is needed on longer-term outcomes for infants exposed to AH1N1v influenza, antiviral drugs or vaccines during pregnancy.
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Health Technol Assess · Jul 2010
The impact of communications about swine flu (influenza A H1N1v) on public responses to the outbreak: results from 36 national telephone surveys in the UK.
To assess the association between levels of worry about the possibility of catching swine flu and the volume of media reporting about it; the role of psychological factors in predicting likely uptake of the swine flu vaccine; and the role of media coverage and advertising in predicting other swine flu-related behaviours. ⋯ During the swine flu outbreak, uptake rates for protective behaviours and likely acceptance rates for vaccination were low. One reason for this may in part be explained by was the low level of public worry about the possibility of catching swine flu. When levels of worry are generally low, acting to increase the volume of mass media and advertising coverage is likely to increase the perceived efficacy of recommended behaviours, which, in turn, is likely to increase their uptake.