Communication Behavior and Risk Perception ofInfectious Disease in Urban and Rural areas-- the Case of Tuberculosis and Dengue

• Main Authors: Chun-Yi Shen, 沈君儀
• Other Authors: Chih-Yin Lew-Ting
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/06406986048093117476

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 衛生政策與管理研究所 === 96 === Objective: This rural-urban comparative study aims to understand the pattern of communication behaviors and the role it plays in the risk perceptions of infectious disease, particularly focusing on tuberculosis and dengue. Method: By using a self-administered questionnaire, this survey was conducted in Pingtung County to collect data from residents aged 18 and older during February to March 2008. Based on a convenience sampling strategy, the potential participants were recruited from Changchun and Chunglan neighborhoods of Pingtung City (urban settings), and Lungtan and Longchuan Villages (rural settings) located in the middle part of the Pingtung County. The final samples consist 447 participants in urban and 394 in rural areas, with a response rate of 48.1% and 77.1%, respectively. Results: With regard to the pattern of communication behavior: (1) participants from both areas used TV and newspapers as their major sources of health information in general and information for infectious disease in particular, (2) Urban residents were exposed to and actively sought more information sources both in general health issues and issues related to infectious disease, (3) For dealing with infectious disease, TV was apparently the most widely used information source, far beyond other types of sources, and (4) Distinctive information seeking behavior for infectious disease was found between urban and rural participants; the former preferred mass media and the latter, interpersonal sources -- particularly relying on community volunteers and village heads. While linked to risk perceptions, it was found that: (1) Rural and urban residents were alike that lower educational levels led to higher risk perceptions, (2)Communication behavior was not associated with risk perceptions in the case of dengue, for both rural and urban residents, (3) In the case of tuberculosis, rural residents perceived greater risk if they were exposed to more tuberculosis related information but to fewer sources of information; yet for urban residents, greater risk perception was related to exposure to more resources of interpersonal communication. Conclusion: The pattern of communication behaviors and communication capacity differ between rural and urban residents. Although in this study the communication behavior did not effectively predict residents’ risk perceptions, it is suggested that different communication strategies should be developed to tailor to the specific needs of rural versus urban residents in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.