Public perception about the Zika virus in working professionals: a qualitative inquiry

Aims: The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network recently warned that the Zika virus-containing mosquitoes are being found in Pakistan and the health sector is on high alert. It is thus significant to understand public beliefs and perceptions of the Zika virus and vaccination in the current scen...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Choudhry, Riaz Fahad, Munawar, Khadeeja, Kassab, Yaman Walib, Bakrin, Faizah Safina, Al-Worafi, Yaser Mohammed, Khan, Tahir Mehmood
Format: Article
Language:English
English
English
Published: SAGE Publications Inc. 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/82188/1/82188_Public%20perception%20about%20the%20Zika%20virus.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/82188/2/82188_Public%20perception%20about%20the%20Zika%20virus_SCOPUS.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/82188/3/82188_Public%20perception%20about%20the%20Zika%20virus_WoS.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/82188/
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0272684X20916621?journalCode=qcha
https://doi.org/10.1177/0272684X20916621
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Aims: The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network recently warned that the Zika virus-containing mosquitoes are being found in Pakistan and the health sector is on high alert. It is thus significant to understand public beliefs and perceptions of the Zika virus and vaccination in the current scenario of Pakistan. Methods: Twenty semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed through an inductive approach to analysis. Results: The findings were presented in three main categories which were coded: Reality vs. Conspiracy, Vaccination Concerns, and Public Worries. The majority believed that the Zika virus is a real problem and that authorities might be trying to hide the Zika cases in Pakistan. Moreover, they believed that health organizations are being incompetent by failing to take timely remedial measures to manage the Zika. However, 20% have an opposing view and believed that the Zika virus is a conspiracy against Pakistan from the West. Conclusion: Overall, most participants were concerned about the lack of treatment and preventive methods and emphasized the need to create awareness among the public. It is observed that the participants’ perceptions ranged from perceiving the Zika virus as real to as a conspiracy. © The Author(s) 2020.