Influenza pandemics represent natural phenomena that occur at irregular intervals throughout the centuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a pandemic is triggered when an influenza virus which was not previously circulating among humans and to which most people don't have immunity emerges and transmits among humans. In essence, a pandemic influenza could lead to numerous contemporaneous epidemics all over the world with high amounts of cases and deaths. Due to increasing global transport and urbanisation, pandemics triggered by a new influenza virus would spread rapidly around the world (WHO, 2005). Therefore, it is important that authorities are prepared to recognise and manage pandemic influenza and, in this way, minimise its destructive potential on economy and society. Thus, it might be within the bounds of possibility to limit the spread of the pandemic influenza virus strain, which would lead to a reduction of the number of hospitalisations and fatalities.
This dissertation aims at analysing the status quo of pandemic influenza preparedness in Portsmouth and the University of Portsmouth, respectively. Beyond that, it intends to gain an impression of the level of awareness towards pandemic influenza among students of the University of Portsmouth. The dissertation focuses on the following aspects:
(1) What characterises a pandemic influenza?
(2) What has already been done in terms of planning for a pandemic influenza in Portsmouth?
(3) What has already been done in terms of planning for a pandemic influenza at the University of Portsmouth?
(4) In what way are students aware of the pandemic influenza threat?
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Context
1.2 Aim
1.3 Research questions
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Characteristics of a pandemic influenza
2.2 Analysis of the Portsmouth City Council Pandemic Response Plan
2.2.1 Response
2.2.1.1 Initial phase response
2.2.1.2 Low impact response
2.2.1.3 Moderate impact response
2.2.1.4 High impact response
2.2.1.5 Post-pandemic recovery phase
2.2.2 Communication
2.2.2.1 Spokespeople
2.2.2.2 Key messages and communication tools
2.2.3 Adult care
2.2.3.1 Residential care homes
2.2.3.2 Social care and care management
2.2.4 Education
2.2.5 Management of excess deaths
2.3 Analysis of the University of Portsmouth Pandemic Contingency Plan
2.3.1 Response
2.3.1.1 Response during WHO phases 1 and 2
2.3.1.2 Response during WHO phase 3
2.3.1.3 Response during WHO phase 4
2.3.1.4 Response during WHO phase 5
2.3.1.5 Response during WHO phase 6
2.3.1.6 Post-pandemic recovery phase
2.3.2 Communication
2.3.3 Education
3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study design
3.2 Study subjects
3.3 Sampling technique and data analysis
4 RESULTS
4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics
4.2 General knowledge about pandemic influenza
4.3 Risk perception
4.4 Behaviour during a pandemic influenza
4.5 Perceptions and concerns relating to the vaccine
5 DISCUSSION
5.1 Portsmouth City Council Pandemic Response Plan
5.2 University of Portsmouth Pandemic Contingency Plan
5.3 Survey
5.4 Limitations
6 CONCLUSION
7 REFERENCES
8 APPENDICES
8.1 Questionnaire
8.2 Ethical Review Application Form
8.3 Health and Safety Form
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This dissertation analyzes the current state of pandemic influenza preparedness in Portsmouth and within the University of Portsmouth, while simultaneously evaluating student awareness levels regarding the pandemic threat.
- Analysis of existing local and institutional pandemic response plans.
- Evaluation of student knowledge, risk perception, and behavioral intentions during a pandemic.
- Assessment of attitudes and concerns related to pandemic influenza vaccination.
- Recommendations for improving university pandemic contingency planning and communication strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Characteristics of a pandemic influenza
As already mentioned, the risk for a pandemic influenza outbreak is high, even though its timing and severity still remain unforeseeable as it is not possible to predict the particular consequences of a future pandemic influenza virus (WHO, 2005). In general, however, influenza pandemics are relatively rare events in comparison with seasonal influenza, which affects human health at regular intervals (VAN-TAM & SELLWOOD, 2010). Annual outbreaks and epidemics of influenza result from minimal variations in the influenza A and B viruses, which allow them to overcome the immunity that has been built up in response to previous infections with the virus or as a result of vaccinations. In contrast, a pandemic influenza represents the outcome of a major change in the influenza A virus, which makes it markedly different from already existing circulating strains (CABINET OFFICE ET AL., 2013; WHO, 2005). A pandemic influenza may occur, if the virus, additionally, can be passed on from human to human (WHO, 2005). Further characteristics of a pandemic influenza include (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 2009):
A rapid worldwide spread, inducing governments to seal their frontiers and restrict travel in order to delay the arrival of the pandemic influenza
Overloaded health care systems since most people will have little or no immunity to the pandemic virus, resulting in rising infection and illness rates. Hence, a substantial percentage of the world population will require some form of medical care.
An inadequate medical supply as the need for vaccines is likely to be larger than the supply. Thus, nations are unlikely to have the staff, facilities, equipment, and hospital beds needed to cope with the number of people who will contract pandemic influenza. As a consequence, those at highest risk will likely get the vaccine or rather antiviral medications first.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: Outlines the natural phenomenon of influenza pandemics, the high civil emergency risk in the UK, and the research objectives of the dissertation.
2 LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines the characteristics of pandemic influenza and provides a detailed analysis of the Portsmouth City Council Pandemic Response Plan and the University of Portsmouth Pandemic Contingency Plan.
3 METHODOLOGY: Describes the design of the student survey, the subject selection criteria, and the techniques used for data collection and analysis.
4 RESULTS: Presents the findings regarding student socio-demographics, knowledge, risk perception, behavioral reactions, and vaccine attitudes.
5 DISCUSSION: Evaluates the response plans against the survey results and academic literature, while also addressing the limitations of the research.
6 CONCLUSION: Summarizes the key insights and suggests improvements for the University of Portsmouth's preparedness, particularly regarding student awareness and communication templates.
Keywords
Pandemic Influenza, Portsmouth, University of Portsmouth, Preparedness, Pandemic Contingency Plan, Public Health, Student Awareness, Risk Perception, Vaccination, Emergency Management, Healthcare Systems, Infection Control, Communication Strategy, Survey, Vaccine Hesitancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores the status quo of pandemic influenza preparedness at the local government level in Portsmouth and specifically within the University of Portsmouth, while analyzing the pandemic threat awareness among the student population.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the comparison between seasonal and pandemic influenza, detailed analysis of existing pandemic response frameworks, student risk perception, behavior during outbreaks, and factors influencing vaccine acceptance.
What is the ultimate goal of the dissertation?
The goal is to assess existing preparedness strategies to provide meaningful insights for institutional response planning and to highlight the necessity of raising student awareness regarding pandemic risks.
Which scientific methodology was applied?
The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining an extensive literature review of official contingency plans with an empirical online survey conducted among University of Portsmouth students.
What topics are covered in the main section of the document?
The main section covers characteristics of influenza pandemics, detailed operational procedures for response phases (initial to recovery), communication strategies for public and institutional messaging, and data analysis of student responses.
Which keywords define this dissertation?
This work is best characterized by terms such as Pandemic Influenza, Emergency Management, University Preparedness, Risk Perception, and Vaccine Attitudes.
How does the University of Portsmouth contingency plan compare to local council plans?
The analysis reveals that while both are comprehensive, they utilize different structures; the dissertation suggests the university could benefit from adopting templates for key messages and aligning more closely with newer UK preparedness strategies.
What were the main findings regarding student awareness?
The results indicate that student awareness is relatively low, with only half of the participants having heard of "pandemic influenza" before, and a significant portion showing limited concern about the potential for future outbreaks.
- Citar trabajo
- Kathrin Schindler (Autor), 2016, Pandemic Influenza Management In Portsmouth With Particular Reference To The University Of Portsmouth, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/369410
