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Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Communication During the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Outbreak: Literature Review (2009-2013) of the Methodology Used for EID Communication Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2015

Anat Gesser-Edelsburg ,
Nathan Stolero ,
Emilio Mordini ,
Matthew Billingsley ,
James J. James  and
Manfred S. Green
Anat Gesser-Edelsburg*
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
Nathan Stolero
Affiliation:
Department of Communication, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Emilio Mordini
Affiliation:
Responsible Technology SAS, Paris, France
Matthew Billingsley
Affiliation:
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, London, United Kingdom
James J. James
Affiliation:
American Medical Association Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response, Chicago, IL
Manfred S. Green
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Anat Gesser-Edelsburg, PhD, Head of Health Promotion Department, School of Public Health, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Objective

This year alone has seen outbreaks of epidemics such as Ebola, Chikungunya, and many other emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). We must look to the responses of recent outbreaks to help guide our strategies in current and future outbreaks or we risk repeating the same mistakes. The objective of this paper was to conduct a systematic literature review of the methodology used by studies that examined EID communication during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic outbreak through different communication channels or by analyzing contents and strategies.

Methods

This was a systematic review of the literature (n=61) studying risk communication strategies of H1N1 influenza, published between 2009 and 2013, and retrieved from searches of computerized databases, hand searches, and authoritative texts by use of specific search criteria. Searches were followed by review, categorization, and mixed qualitative and quantitative content analysis.

Results

Of 41 articles that used quantitative methods, most used surveys (n=35); some employed content analyses (n=4) and controlled trials (n=2). The 16 articles that employed qualitative methods relied on content analyses (n=10), semi-structured interviews (n=2) and focus groups (n=4). Four more articles used mixed-methods or nonstandard methods. Seven different topic categories were found: risk perception and effects on behaviors, framing the risk in the media, public concerns, trust, optimistic bias, uncertainty, and evaluating risk communication.

Conclusions

Up until 2013, studies tended to be descriptive and quantitative rather than discursive and qualitative and to focus on the role of the media as representing information and not as a medium for actual communication with the public. Several studies from 2012, and increasingly more in 2013, addressed issues of discourse and framing and the complexity of risk communication with the public. Formative evaluations that use recommendations from past research when designing communication campaigns from the first stages of crises are recommended. Research should employ diverse triangulation processes based on representatives from different stakeholders. Further studies should address the potential offered by social media to create dialogue with individuals and the public at large. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:199-206)

Keywords

risk communicationH1N1 pandemic outbreakinfluenzaframing riskliterature review
Type
Systematic Reviews
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , April 2015 , pp. 199 - 206
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2015 

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