Table 1 Statements concerning the seriousness of H1N1
From: Communicating uncertainty - how Australian television reported H1N1 risk in 2009: a content analysis
Statements | N | (%) |
|---|---|---|
Infection and mortality rates | 836 | 42.7 |
Outbreaks, pandemics, the quick spread of the virus or an inability to contain it | 221 | 11.3 |
Statements meant to calm any panic and reassure the viewer | 151 | 7.7 |
Statements concerning particular risk groups (e.g. pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions etc.) | 145 | 7.4 |
Comparisons with other viruses (e.g. SARS, seasonal flu, 1918 pandemic) | 135 | 6.8 |
Containment measures (e.g. border control, quarantine, school closures, sporting cancellations) | 101 | 5.1 |
Government Pandemic Preparedness Plan | 86 | 4.4 |
Changes to WHO or Australian government alert levels | 76 | 3.9 |
Vulnerability to H1N1 (e.g. lack of immunity, called 'potentially deadly virus', everybody at risk) | 64 | 3.3 |
Vaccine (e.g. need for a vaccine, testing and rollout of vaccine) | 61 | 3.1 |
Testing and diagnosis of H1N1 strain | 58 | 3.0 |
Other | 24 | 1.2 |
TOTAL | 1,958 | 100.0 |