ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRACTICE
Identifying Public Perceptions of Information on Harmful Algal Blooms to Guide Effective Risk Communication
Residents ( n = 92) and tourists ( n = 100), increasingly affected by red tide events along the west coast of Florida (Alcock, 2007; Brand & Compton, 2007; Kirkpatrick et al., 2004), reported that the internet, televi- sion, and Mote Marine Laboratory were the sources they would seek out to learn more about red tide (Nierenberg et al., 2010). Resi- dents in Washington ( n = 71) and Oregon ( n = 47)—who were surveyed after a massive marine HAB on the West Coast that was asso- ciated with the 2014–2016 Northeast Pacific marine heat wave—reported that they most often obtained information from newspa- pers and their state fish and wildlife agencies (Moore et al., 2020). Residents in California ( n = 55) in the same study stated that they used newspapers and local television news most commonly for information. An evaluation of multiple HAB educa- tion and notification strategies conducted in Washington and the Puget Sound region determined that messages sometimes provide information for scientists and not the pub- lic (Hardy et al., 2016). Similarly, informa- tion on red tide blooms can be difficult for the public to access or understand because the information is provided on the websites of federal and state agencies, as well as aca- demic and research institutions, and directed toward specific commercial or government audiences (Hoagland et al., 2020). Nieren- berg et al. (2010) concluded that “evalua- tion of Florida red tide informational tools is needed on a regular basis, as there are changes over time to both the informational content needed . . . and which informational resources are used by the public” (p. 605). April Ames, PhD, CIH University of Toledo College of Health and Human Services Victoria Steiner, PhD University of Toledo College of Health and Human Services Ashleigh Konopka, MPH, MSOH-IH University of Toledo College of Health and Human Services Mary Ward, MSOH-IH University of Toledo College of Health and Human Services Eric J. Zgodzinski, MPH, DrPH, RS, CPH Toledo–Lucas County Health Department
Abstract Accurate, understandable, and reliable information is crucial during and after a harmful algal bloom (HAB) event. This qualitative descriptive study examined perceptions of residents near Lake Erie’s western basin about where they received HAB information, what information was most important, and which sources they found most credible. A total of nine focus groups with Lucas County, Ohio, residents were videotaped, and the content was transcribed. We applied Colaizzi’s rigorous method of content analysis to make sense of the data. The majority of 93 participants self- identified as White females between the ages of 40 and 59 years. From the focus groups, four themes emerged: 1) seeking prompt and clear notification about severe HABs, 2) realizing opportunities to learn about HABs, 3) pushing an agenda instead of relaying the facts, and 4) desiring credible information from trustworthy sources. Effective risk communication should provide information about severe events in an understandable and timely manner, convey unbiased facts, deliver information from sources seen as trustworthy, and use existing opportunities in the community to provide education. Although every HAB event is unique, these findings can inform other regions at risk for HABs.
Introduction Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are becoming more common in the U.S. and around the world. HABs occur when algae grow out of control in freshwater or saltwater and pro- duces toxins that can make people or animals ill (Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion, 2022). For over 10 years, knowledge and perceptions associated with HABs on the East Coast and West Coast of the U.S. have been examined (Ekstrom et al., 2020;
Kirkpatrick et al., 2014; Kuhar, et al., 2009; Moore et al., 2020; Nierenberg et al., 2010). Individuals in communities affected by HAB events need accurate and reliable informa- tion to understand the potential impacts to the environment and public health. There are significant differences, however, in how individuals access, process and interpret, and react to the information they receive (Savoia et al., 2017) that affect their perceptions of risk and associated behaviors.
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Volume 85 • Number 7
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