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Longitudinal Investigation of Public Trust in Institutions Relative to the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic in Switzerland

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  • Adrian Bangerter
  • Franciska Krings
  • Audrey Mouton
  • Ingrid Gilles
  • Eva G T Green
  • Alain Clémence

Abstract

Background: The 2009 H1N1 pandemic left a legacy of mistrust in the public relative to how outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases are managed. To prepare for future outbreaks, it is crucial to explore the phenomenon of public trust in the institutions responsible for managing disease outbreaks. We investigated the evolution of public trust in institutions during and after the 2009 pandemic in Switzerland. We also explored respondents’ perceptions of the prevention campaign and the roles of the government and media. Methodology/Principal Findings: A two-wave longitudinal survey was mailed to 2,400 members of the Swiss public. Wave 1 was in Spring 2009. Wave 2 was in Spring 2010. Six hundred and two participants responded in both waves. Participants indicated moderate to high levels of trust in medical organizations, the WHO, the Swiss government, the pharmaceutical industry, and the EU. On the other hand, trust in the media was low. Moreover, trust in almost all institutions decreased over time. Participants were satisfied with the amount of information received and indicated having followed official recommendations, but widespread concerns about the vaccine were evident. A large majority of participants agreed the vaccine might have unknown or undesirable side effects. Perceptions of the government’s and the media’s role in handling the outbreak were characterized by a substantial degree of skepticism and mistrust. Conclusions/Significance: Results show clear patterns of skepticism and mistrust on the part of the public relative to various institutions and their actions. Results underscore the importance of systematically investigating trust of the public relative to epidemics. Moreover, studies investigating the evolution of the public’s memories of the pandemic over the coming years may be important to understand reactions to future pandemics. A systematic research program on trust can inform public health communication campaigns, enabling tailored communication initiatives.

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  • Adrian Bangerter & Franciska Krings & Audrey Mouton & Ingrid Gilles & Eva G T Green & Alain Clémence, 2012. "Longitudinal Investigation of Public Trust in Institutions Relative to the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic in Switzerland," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(11), pages 1-8, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0049806
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049806
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dupras, C. & Williams-Jones, B., 2012. "The expert and the lay public: Reflections on influenza A (H1N1) and the risk society," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(4), pages 591-595.
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    3. Thomas, S.B. & Quinn, S.C., 1991. "Public health then and now: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, 1932 to 1972: Implications for HIV education and AIDS risk education programs in the black community," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 81(11), pages 1498-1504.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Dominika Ochnik & Aleksandra M. Rogowska & Ana Arzenšek & Joy Benatov, 2022. "Can Fear of COVID-19 Be Predicted by Religiosity and Trust in Institutions among Young Adults? A Prospective Cross-National Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Ding, Hongxiang & Zhang, Junyi, 2021. "Dynamic associations between temporal behavior changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subjective assessments of policymaking: A case study in Japan," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 58-70.
    4. Francetic, Igor, 2021. "Bad law or implementation flaws? Lessons from the implementation of the new law on epidemics during the response to the first wave of COVID-19 in Switzerland," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(10), pages 1285-1290.
    5. An, Jiafu & Hou, Wenxuan & Lin, Chen, 2022. "Epidemic disease and financial development," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 332-358.
    6. A. Burcu Bayram & Todd Shields, 2021. "Who Trusts the WHO? Heuristics and Americans’ Trust in the World Health Organization During the COVID‐19 Pandemic," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(5), pages 2312-2330, September.

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