Background
A hantavirus risk perception and communication study was performed in the years 2011–2012 as part of the EU-funded EDENext project in endemic areas of Germany.
Methods
Three focus groups were conducted: one in urban and two in rural regions. Participants of one rural group were exposed to the hantavirus due to their occupation. All groups were analysed regarding their risk perception, their risk knowledge about the hantavirus and its transmission, their coping strategies and their information behaviour and expectations in case of an outbreak.
Results
The analysed groups living in endemic areas are well aware of the hantavirus risk. They have basic knowledge about protection measures. However, not all of them who know the latter would also apply protection measurements for practical reasons. Information provided by mass media or others are more trustworthy if the source mentioned is a public (health) authority. Static warning signs, such as tables, are less appreciated than risk maps for reasons of timeliness.
Conclusions
The development of health communication strategies, including health campaigns, should be based on risk perception studies, in order to reach the target groups. This is particularly relevant in case of rare or locally limited diseases.