EV0599

ePoster Viewing
Emerging infectious diseases
Ebola information for the public: an assessment of suitability and readability of information available through US, UK, Canadian
and European public health agencies
E. Castro-Snchez1, E. Spanoudakis1, A. Holmes1
1Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

Objectives
The ongoing epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been declared an international public health emergency. Preventive approaches
including early diagnosis and contact tracing remain the only solution to stop transmission, as we lack effective treatment or vaccine. Public
participation in such approaches remains essential, but to be effective it requires availability of understandable information. Readability
indicators measure the ease with which text can be read and understood and have helped match health information to the citizens health
literacy.
We review here the readability and suitability of EVD public information sheets available from different national public health agencies.

Methods
Information sheets were downloaded on 1st September 2014 from ECDC (Europe), CDC (US), PHE (UK) and Canada public health
websites and standard suitability and readability tools applied using software. Scores were analysed using Stata.

Results
Table 1 presents the results. ECDC, PHE and Canada factsheets were difficult to read, requiring a school grade of 12 (UK year 13), and
17-18 years old reading age. The CDC page was fairly difficult to read, with a US school grade of 9 (UK year 10), and 13-15 years old
reading age (p>0.05).

Conclusion
Public health agencies should consider the suitability of information provided to the public so they can adopt effective self-care strategies,
avoid fear and reduce unnecessary panic and stigma towards those affected by emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola virus.

Table 1. Suitability and readability for Ebola public information sheets published by selected public health agencies

Flesch
The
Gunning Flesch-Kincaid
Reading Ease
ColemanFog US Grade Level
score
Liau Index
ECDC Ebola Factsheet for
the general public
PHE Information on Ebola:
Outbreak in West Africa
CDC Questions and
Answers on Ebola
Government of Canada
Ebola virus disease

48.2 (difficult to
read)
45.4 (difficult to
read)
53 (fairly difficult
to read)
42.2 (difficult to
read)

Mean (95% CI)

47.2 (39.91 to
54.48)

13.7 (hard
to read)
13.9 (hard
to read)
10.7 (hard
to read)
12.9 (hard
to read)
12.8
(10.46 to
15.13)

11.3 (11th grade)

12.1 (12th grade)
9.2 (9th grade)
11.8 (12th grade)
11.1 (9.01 to
13.18)

The
SMOG
Index

Automated
Readability
Index

th 11.6 (17-18 years

12 (12th grade) 10.7 (11

grade)
th
12 (12th grade) 11 (11
grade)
th
10 (10th grade) 9.4 (9
grade)
th
13 (College) 11.1 (11
grade)
11.75 (9.74 to 10.55
(9.30 to
13.75)
11.79)

old)

Linsear
Write
Formula
13 (College)

12.5 (18-19 years

old)
7.8 (12-14 years
old)
11.8 (12-18 years
old)

14.1
(College)

10.92 (7.55 to
14.29)

12.02 (8.04 to
16.00)

8.4 (8th
grade)
12.6
(College)