Knowledge about swine flu among patients seeking health care in a tertiary and primary health care facility in Puducherry
Journal Title: THE HEALTH AGENDA - Year 2013, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Swine flu/Novel H1N1 influenza Pandemic was in Phase 6 in June 2009. Success of mitigation would depend on compliance of the community particularly to non-pharmacological interventions which in turn would be dependent on the familiarity regarding prevention and control of flu pandemic. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study among out-patient attendees of a tertiary and primary health care facility in Puducherry, wherein 267 patients were interviewed to assess the knowledge about swine flu and factors determining it. The knowledge was categorised as Good (50-100 %) and Poor (0-49.99%), and simple scoring method was used. A subcategory of Good was defined as Very Good if knowledge score was > 75%. Data was summarised using proportions and analysed using Chi-square test for associations using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 17.0). P value < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Good knowledge (score > 50 %) was significantly associated with younger age, literacy, accessibility to information hoardings within the premises of health facility and multiple sources of information. Three fourths weren’t aware of the correct method of diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Conclusions: There were lacunae in knowledge level regarding swine flu among study subjects. There was need for future research for evaluating the impact of need based health messages on health seeking behaviour among the people.
Authors and Affiliations
Preetam Mahajan, Sagaya Mary, Susiganesh E
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP135908
- DOI -
- Views 105
- Downloads 0
Medical Education: Back to the Future
As you read this editorial, I can almost hear you asking – yet another medical journal – pray why? We have medical journals of all hues – catering to all segments of medical professionals – from the rookie to the...
A study to explore the determinants of child health in Melghat, Maharashtra
Background: Melghat is the hilly forest region of 312 small villages, known as one of the most underdeveloped regions in Maharashtra. The employment in Melghat is exploitative, enslaving and gender discriminatory. An est...
A rapid assessment of some clinical and entomological indices in East, Central and North zones of Ahmedabad municipal corporation, Gujarat, India
Vector borne diseases are the major tropical health challenges and leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Present study was carried out for rapid assessment of morbidity and mortality due to vector borne...
Nonsyndromic multiple supernumerary premolars: Report of three cases
Supernumerary teeth are those which occur in excess of the usual number of teeth. Occurrence of single supernumerary tooth is very common. Development of multiple supernumerary teeth is relatively uncommon. Multiple supe...