H1N1 in Italy: alarm excess?

Feb. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- From a wide research conducted by Key-Stone, for the first time in Italy, families habits and
behaviors relatively to the renounce of vaccine have been investigated.
Despite the 17% declares that the swine flu has infected at least one member of its family
and that has involved more than the 50% of the schools, the 97% is contrary to the
vaccination. Hygienic habits changed 60% of the cases.
Concluded a wide Key-Stone research conducted on a representative sample base of 600 Italian families.
From the research, which in Italy has had prominence in several communication media,
some evidences emerge. Also reported by ANSA agency, it shows a mature and conscious
reaction by the Italians, which have avoided irrational behaviors.
The 97% says no to the vaccine. Even if with preventive end, hygienic habits have changed.
Opposition to vaccination is still strong. Only in the 5% of the families, at least one member
submitted to the vaccine. The future intention to effectuate it is not significant (2%). Mistrust on vaccines in general represents the heaviest reason which leads Italians to express this opposition (25%).
Not sure about the testing of this vaccine in particular (24%) and negative opinion by the family doctor, despite the Health Department recommendations, (21%) are other reasons.
The role of the family doctor stands out for the 29%. TV is the main information media, but the doctor’s role stands out, information source for the 29%. Reviews, magazines and Internet for the 17%.
Don’t panic for the 80%. Hopeful and quiet reactions to the news: Only the 20% has shown
concern or fear. Tranquility emerges from who addressed to his family doctor for further information.
Informed and conscious in 85% of the cases. Contrasting information from the different media have lead to a widespread idea o fan excessive alarmism for the 71% of the respondents, probably created for different kind of “interests” for the 98% of these.
For the 60% more hygiene. The diffusion of the virus has affected the hygienic preventive habits for 59% of the families, 80% of which has increased the purchase of hands disinfectants. Changes relatively social habits occurred only in the 12% of the cases (avoiding public transportation means, crowded places etc.).
No fear Reactions to flu symptoms for the 96%. In the 69% of the families flu symptoms occurred (not only H1N1), but the 43% thought it was a classic flu and left it pass autonomously. Only the 4% really get scared and the 1% went to first aid.
At least one infection case in the 17% of the families. The disease regarded kids in the 79% of the cases. Talking about the youngest, despite the presence of the virus has been detected in the 52% of the schools, only the 4% of the respondents has been scared and has left their kids at home.
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In the end, Italians have shown a mature and conscious behavior, even families with minor kids which were indicated as the easiest target for the disease. Quiet but not superficial behaviors lead to the adoption of suitable precautions, without being panicked. Everything has been facilitated by the benign effects of the flu, and by a pandemic certainly overestimated by the International boards and by the World Health Organization.
Una breve riflessione
“Questo caso appare - dal punto di vista mediatico - non così lontano da altri fenomeni di cui si è discusso e, sia pur maggiormente severi, ci si è particolarmente allarmati nell’ultimo decennio (dalla SARS, all’aviaria e prima ancora la “mucca pazza”, etc.).
Ciò può contribuire a ridurre l’autorevolezza di organizzazioni internazionali, mass media, medicina in generale. Viene così spontaneo evocare “Lo scherzo del pastore” di Esopo e il suo "Al lupo, al lupo!". Nelmomento in cui realmente si correranno dei rischi, sapremo davvero determinare quali atteggiamenti assumere al di là dell’allarmismo?”
Roberto Rosso, Key-Stone Chairman