Investigators at University of Western Sydney release new data on life sciences.

In this recent report published in the journal BMC Public Health, researchers in Penrith, Australia conducted a study "To help improve incident preparedness this study assessed socio-demographic and socio-economic predictors of perceived risk of terrorism within Australia and willingness to comply with public safety directives during such incidents. The terrorism perception question module was incorporated into the New South Wales Population Health Survey and was completed by a representative sample of 2,081 respondents in early 2007."

"Responses were weighted against the New South Wales population. Multivariate analyses indicated that those with no formal educational qualifications were significantly more likely (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.32-3.35, p

The researchers concluded: "These findings highlight the need for terrorism risk communication and related strategies to address the specific concerns of these sub-groups as a critical underpinning of population-level preparedness."

Stevens and colleagues published their study in BMC Public Health (Terrorism in Australia: factors associated with perceived threat and incident-critical behaviours. BMC Public Health, 2009;9():91).

For additional information, contact G. Stevens, University of Western Sydney, School Medical, Bldg EV, Parramatta Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 1797, Australia.

The publisher's contact information for the journal BMC Public Health is: Biomedical Central Ltd., Current Science Group, Middlesex House, 34-42 Cleveland St., London W1T 4LB, England.

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