Recently, Harris Interactive posed a series of questions to young people about viruses and the illnesses they cause.  The results indicate that youths don’t understand the differences between viruses (non-living organism) and other causes of illness (such as bacteria – a living organism), and subquently understanding on how to avoid illness is also affected; with 61% of youths believing that antibiotics can protect phem from catching a virus.

 

 

1,373 U.S. children and teenagers – ages 8 to 18 – were surveyed online by Harris Interactive® in collaboration with Southwest Institute for Research on Women at the University of Arizona between March 15 to 20, 2006. The following charts are a selection of results from that survey.

 

AWARENESS OF VIRUS-CAUSED DISEASES

"Have you ever heard of these diseases?"

 

Those saying “yes”.

Base: All Respondents

 

8-12 year olds

13-18 year olds

Common cold 

99 %

98 %

HIV or AIDS

89 %

95 %

Bird Flu

82 %

92 %

HPV or genital warts

*

85 %

Hepatitis C

61 %

90 %

  * Awareness of HPV/genital warts not asked of 8 to 12 year olds

 

 

LIKLIHOOD OF SELF OR FRIENDS CATCHING DISEASE 

 

How likely do you think you or

one of your friends could catch

this disease…?"

 

Those Saying "Extremely/Very Likely

Base: 8 - 12 year olds

 

In Next Year

In Next Five Years

In Lifetime

Common cold

80 %

87 %

90 %

HIV or AIDS

2 %

4 %

14 %

Bird Flu

4 %

9 %

14 %

Hepatitis C

2 %

4 %

12 %

 

LIKLIHOOD OF SELF OR FRIENDS CATCHING DISEASE – 13-18 YEAR OLDS

"How likely do you think you or

one of your friends could catch this disease…?"

 

Those Saying "Extremely/Very Likely"

 

Base: All 13-18 year olds

 

 

In Next Year

In Next Five Years

In

Lifetime

Common cold

73 %

82 %

86 %

HIV or AIDS

5 %

11 %

17 %

Bird Flu

2 %

7 %

13 %

HPV/genital warts

3 %

10 %

18 %

Hepatitis C

2 %

6 %

13 %

 

 

PROTECTION AGAINST CATCHING A VIRUS

 

"How much do you agree with the following?

 

I would be protected against

catching a virus by…?"

 

Percent Agreeing Strongly or Somewhat                  

 

Base: All respondents

 

 

8-12 year olds

13-18 year olds

Washing my hands

98 %

95 %

Staying away from people who are infected

94 %

87 %

Being vaccinated

87 %

88 %

Eating a balanced diet

90 %

84 %

Taking vitamins

92 %

82 %

Using antibacterial lotion on my hands

85 %

77 %

Exercising

79 %

78 %

Staying warm and dry

75 %

66 %

Cleaning with bleach

79 %

60 %

Taking antibiotics

61 %

59 %

Not eating chicken

16 %

18 %