Table 1 Variables and definition

Socio-demographics

Age

Year

Gender

1 = Male, 2 = Female

Marital status

1 = Unmarried, 2 = Married, 3 = Others

Educational level

1 = Senior school, 2 = Technical secondary school, 3 = Junior college, 4 = university, 5 = Master degree, 6 = PhD

Professional title

1 = Doctor, 2 = Nurse, 3 = Health attendant, 4 = Technician in laboratory, 5 = Others

Department

1 = SARS ward, 2 = Emergency department/Fever clinic, 3 = Infectious disease, 4 = Respiratory disease, 5 = Others

Use of personal protective and control measures

Number of gowns worn

0 = Single, 1 = Double

Number of multilayered cotton mask worn

0 = Single, 1 = Double

Number of pairs of gloves worn

0 = Single, 1 = double

Frequency of wearing shoe cover

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Frequency of wearing cap

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Frequency of face shield in SARS ward

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Frequency of wearing goggles while performing operation for SARS patients

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Health-related behaviors

Frequency of washing uncovered skin after caring for SARS patients

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Frequency of washing hands after caring for SARS patients

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Frequency of washing nasal cavity after caring for SARS patients

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Frequency of washing oral cavity after caring for SARS patients

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

SARS patient care

Special training for SARS

0 = No, 1 = Yes

Performing tracheotomy

0 = No, 1 = Yes

Performing tracheal intubations

0 = No, 1 = Yes

Caring for "Super Spreading Patient"

0 = No, 1 = Yes

Avoiding face to face while caring for patient

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Every time

Other relevant control measures

Method of air ventilation in offices and SARS wards

1 = Artificial central ventilation (windows were closed in wards), 2 = Natural ventilation (windows were opened in wards), 3 = Natural ventilation and additional electronic exhaust fan (windows were opened in wards, at the same time, electronic exhaust fans were used for improving air circulation in wards)

Type of equipment for washing hands

1 = Automatic tap, 2 = Non-automatic tap, 3 = Others