| Abstract: | In 1999, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued guidelines on prevention and control of influenza. These included recommendations for public education about influenza and promotion of vaccination among persons at high risk for complications from influenza. In response, several public education programs were implemented, including an "influenza hotline" that was established within the Infectious Diseases Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases. To assess the informational needs of callers about influenza and evaluate the impact of different communication modalities, we analyzed data from telephone consultations made to the "influenza hotline" and from a survey that was conducted among a subset of callers. During the influenza seasons of 2000-2001 to 2002-2003, there was an average of 2,230 callers to the "influenza hotline" each season, range 1,809-2,696. The majority (42.4%) of callers were women aged 30-39 years, which might reflect young mothers. The most frequently asked questions were about influenza vaccination of infants and young children. which accounted for 20.6% (1,501/7,295) of all vaccine-related questions during the four seasons. Questions about the number of recommended influenza vaccine doses was the second most frequently asked topic and comprised 17.8% (1,300/7,295) of all vaccine-related questions. Over the period 2000-2001 to 2002-2003, questions about the recommended number of influenza vaccine doses decreased among elderly callers, but not for callers aged < 60 years. The number of calls about the location of influenza vaccine clinics, availability of influenza vaccine, and vaccination of elderly person declined from 1999-2000 to 2002-2003. Of callers that were surveyed (N = 3,316) about where they received information about influenza, the most frequently reported sources were newspapers (47.7%), and the internet (26.2%). Internet use by callers showed differences among age groups. Only 2.4% of callers aged > or = 60 years reported receiving influenza information through the internet in contrast to 33.9% among callers aged < 60 years. Our study suggests a high public demand for information about influenza, especially by mothers regarding influenza vaccination of infants and young children, and recommended influenza vaccine doses for adults. To improve education of the public about influenza, multiple communication strategies should be utilized, including written information, and the internet. |
