Knowledge, attitudes and practices status about avian influenza A(H7N9) among people with occupation exposure to wild birds in Guangzhou

Objective To understand the knowledge, attitude and practice status about avian influenza A(H7N9) among people with occupational exposure to wild birds in Guangzhou and provide evidence for making up health education measures. Methods A total of 179 people with occupational exposure to wild birds, including 97 close contacts, were investigated. Results The awareness rate of H7N9 avian among close contacts and non-close contacts was 69.81% and 62.20% respectively. Television, newspapers, and internet were the main channels to learn about H7N9 avian influenza related knowledge. The percentages of wearing of masks, gloves, work clothes, waterproof shoes or shoe covers and work hats were 92.78%, 84.54%, 83.51%, 83.51% and 71.13% respectively. The close contact did not take comprehensive safeguard procedures when they treated sick or dead wild birds. Up to 97.94% of close contacts and 96.34% of non-close contacts disposed sick or dead wild birds correctly. The immunization rate of influenza vaccine in close contacts and in non-close contacts was 35.05% and 15.85% respectively during past year, while the percentage of those who were willing to have free vaccination was 76.29% and 78.05% respectively. Conclusion The awareness of H7N9 avian influenza among people with occupational exposure to wild birds place in Guangzhou was poor. The rate of taking comprehensive protection among them was very low. The percentage of those who were willing to have free vaccination was significantly higher than the vaccination rate during past year. It is suggested that the education about H7N9 avian influenza prevention should be strengthened in this population with different ways.