• Joseph T F Lau, Xilin Yang, Ellie Pang, H Y Tsui, Eric Wong, and Yun Kwok Wing.
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
• Emerging Infect. Dis. 2005 Mar 1; 11 (3): 417-24.

AbstractTo understand different aspects of community responses related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), 2 population-based, random telephone surveys were conducted in June 2003 and January 2004 in Hong Kong. More than 70% of respondents would avoid visiting hospitals or mainland China to avoid contracting SARS. Most respondents believed that SARS could be transmitted through droplets, fomites, sewage, and animals. More than 90% believed that public health measures were efficacious means of prevention; 40.4% believed that SARS would resurge in Hong Kong; and approximately equals 70% would then wear masks in public places. High percentages of respondents felt helpless, horrified, and apprehensive because of SARS. Approximately 16% showed signs of posttraumatic symptoms, and approximately equals 40% perceived increased stress in family or work settings. The general public in Hong Kong has been very vigilant about SARS but needs to be more psychologically prepared to face a resurgence of the epidemic.

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