Project Details

Report now available.
View the executive summary (pdf format)
You can view the full text from the H1N1 influenza and pandemic flu themed issue 1 publication details page on the HTA website

Chest problems are very common in the UK. People with chest problems and their family members should have an annual flu jab against 'ordinary flu', but many do not. People with chest problems are at higher risk than others of developing complications of, or even dying from, 'swine flu. Giving people good information which is appropriate for them is important in helping them to look after themselves and in reducing their anxiety. The government has recommended that people take actions to prevent the spread of swine flu. However, we do not know how well these are being taken up by people with chest problems and their families. We also do not know if worries about swine flu are causing people with chest problems to change or limit their daily activities.

The study will therefore look at what information people with chest problems and their families want regarding swine flu and who they want it from; what their worries and concerns about swine flu are; whether they are following recommendations regarding swine flu prevention; and whether they have changed their day-to-day behaviour

We will undertake a survey by post and phone. We hope to involve 200 patients with chest problems and 200 family members of these. We will find these through chest clinics (by handing out questionnaires and putting up posters) and by putting an advert in a newspaper.

We will also talk in more depth to 4-6 groups of people attending Breathe Easy chest patient support groups and to 15-20 people, in their own homes

All the work will take place in the North West of England, between Sept 09 and Jan 10

At the end of the study, we will be able to give health professionals and policy makers guidance regarding what people with chest problems and their familes most want to know and what their concerns are; we will know if people with chest problems and their families are following recommendations or not, so action can be taken if needed to improve their uptake of these recommendations; and we will understand better if how people with chest problems and their families might use health services in relation to 'swine flu', which will help in planning services

1. To explore, in samples of people with existing respiratory conditions and their family members:
a. information needs (priority topics of information, preferrred sources of information, perceived usefulness of available information, gaps in knowledge/misconceptions) regarding the current 'swine influenza' pandemic 
b. concerns (perceptions re susceptibility, risk of complications, risk of death) regarding the current 'swine influenza' pandemic
c. health-related behaviours (adoption of recommended preventative measures, avoidance behaviours, anticipated use of health services) with respect to the current 'swine influenza' pandemic

2. To compare information needs, concerns and health-related behaviours of patients and family members

3. To explore associations between the above factors and condition-related/demographic variables