Investigating The Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak Questionnaire
Introduction
Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a relatively new kind of viral respiratory infection which is caused by the MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It is also known as the Camel flu. The infection has some resemblance with SARS in terms of the area it affects (Riegelman, & Kirkwood, 2015). The disease affects the respiratory system where the victims suffer from deep illness. Some of the symptoms of the disease include chills, rigor, vomiting and fever among others (In Baird, 2016). The disease can be spread from one person who is ill to a healthy individual. For epidemiologist, it is always necessary to study the situation on the ground to avert excessive damages in case there is an outbreak.
Questionnaire Report
One of the main purposes of a questionnaire is that it can address several issues of concern and questions in a reasonably efficient way, with the likelihood of a high positive response rate (Fowler, 2009). In this case, the questionnaire was formulated in order to have more insight or understanding into the threat perception, awareness as well as the experience of the public. This is because an outbreak often catches people unaware especially if the disease or infection is relatively new. Ideally, the questionnaire would be undertaken when an infectious disease outbreak such as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome is reported to the government or local authority and before the announcement to the public is started.
The survey contains both open-ended and closed-ended questions. Open-end questions would allow the investigator not to limit the respondent from giving more information regarding an issue, for example, the question asking the respondent to describe their view of the subject. The closed end questions are confining the interviewee to certain answers for precision especially when it comes to quantitative analysis. The questions are formulated in a way that the investigator can acquire the excellent or necessary information. The information that the questionnaire seeks to gather is the individual knowledge of the respondents in relation to the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The target audience or the respondent is the general public mostly those above 20 years and below 50 years. The reason for selection of the respondents is that they are more likely to express themselves more comprehensively. Since the disease affects everyone regardless of their position in the society thus, it is quite imperative to use the target audience for the purpose. The location of the respondents is mainly in the villages or the countryside. This is because; the people in these areas have a higher propensity of being infected since they are exposed to the virus carriers such as bats (Beltz, 2017). The questionnaires will be distributed randomly in the farms where people are most likely to be infected. Such places can be characterized by having a high population of camels or bats.
The overall objective is to gather information that will seek to determine the rate of virus infections for future measures of managing the situation or even the current situation. In order to cure, prevent and treat people from this virus which has been spread among community in short period of time.
Investigating The Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak Questionnaire
Part One
Dear sir/ madam
You may be aware of an outbreak of a disease called Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the country. I would like to know your awareness of the disease, your perception and other relevant information. The questionnaire is both open and closed-ended and your response to the questions will be highly appreciated because it will be used for the future purpose.
I wish to thank you in advance for the cooperation.
Part Two
1 Are you aware of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome? Yes No
2 If you know of the disease, for how long have been aware?…………………………
3 How serious do you think the disease is? 1. Very serious 2. Fairly serious
3. Serious
4. Not serious
4. Do you know anyone who has contracted the disease? And if you do, how many cases?
5 Do you believe that you can contract the disease? Yes No
6 Do you know of any symptoms that characterize the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome? If you do, can you highlight them?
7 Are you aware of the preventative measure that one can take to avoid contracting the disease?
8 If you were aware of the preventative measures, would you be willing to carry them out?
Yes No
9 Are there sensitization programs being carried out about the disease? If there are, how frequent are they?
10 Briefly, describe your overall view of the disease…………………………………
Beltz, L. A. (2017). Bats and human health: Ebola, SARS, rabies and beyond.
Fowler, F. J. (2009). Survey research methods. Los Angeles (i.e. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications.
In Baird, M. S. (2016). Manual of critical care nursing: Nursing interventions and collaborative management.
Riegelman, R. K., & Kirkwood, B. (2015). Public health 101: Healthy people–healthy populations.
