Physicians were randomly

selected for contact using a random numbers table. Public health nurses from FRAX597 nmr each health region or authority were invited to join by the researcher only after identification through the public health nurse’s supervisor. Their contact information was not made available to the researcher unless they wished to participate in the study; so only nurses who volunteered willingly were included in this study. A standardized anonymous structured interview was administered to the participants over the telephone or face to face if the location permitted. All interviews were conducted by a single interviewer and were expected to take approximately 15–20 min in length. Approximately 24 survey questions were asked which included demographic information (the participant’s specific occupation), general knowledge of WNV, knowledge of the sero-prevalence of WNV in Saskatchewan, perception of the risk factors for WNV, and personal experience with

WNV. Additional questions were asked concerning their awareness of the chimeric YF–WNv vaccine, the benefits and risks of the vaccine, the vaccine’s efficacy, and vaccine strategy. Prior to the questions concerning vaccine, the interviewer Afatinib nmr read a standard statement informing the interviewee of the proposed future vaccine expected to be released for public use. Results were tabulated for each question. The total number of participants was 33; 12 were medical health officers and 21 were public health nurses; at least one representative from each of the health regions in the province. The location of the respondents was mapped by region (south, central and north), indicating adequate coverage of the province in accordance with population numbers (Fig. 1). The response rate for medical health officers was 75% (12/16). Due to confidentiality issues and the method of obtaining contact information for public health nurses, a the response rate of all public health nurses involved in immunization

could not be accurately calculated. Of the 25 public health nurses for which contact information was provided to researchers, two declined to be interviewed when contacted and two opted to withdraw from the study prior to completion of the survey. None of the private physicians that were contacted agreed to be part of the study (response rate was 0%). Participants were asked to estimate the current sero-prevalence of the virus in the general public population of Saskatchewan. Based on 27 respondents, the estimated mean sero-prevalence of WNv was 20%, the range was from 0 to 60%. The majority of respondents felt that for all age groups, the risk of WNV was moderate (Table 1). Participants correctly identified that rural residents were at higher risk than urban residents, that outdoor recreation and outdoor work put individuals at higher risk than indoor recreation or indoor work.