Awareness of the Pandemic H1N1 Influenza global outbreak 2009 among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan

Authors

  • Zubair Ali Khowaja Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan
  • Muhammad Idrees Soomro Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan
  • Abdul Khaliq Pirzada Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan
  • Muhammed Ahmed Yoosuf Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan
  • Vinod Kumar Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1247

Keywords:

pdmH1N1, Swine flu, flu awareness, influenza pandemic, student awareness

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess student awareness of the pandemic pdmH1N1, including the students' attitudes and perceptions about treatment, severity of disease and preventive measures.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and results were analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Results: A total of 396 medical students participated in this study with a mean age of 21 (± 1.4). About 365 (92.2%) were unaware of pdmH1N1. It was identified as a viral disease by 339 (85.6%) students, and 282 (71.2%) students correctly identified it as a disease affecting humans and pigs. The most common source of knowledge was television by 259 (65.4%) respondents. Most common symptoms identified were fever by 287 (72.5%), sore throat by 169 (42.7%) and cough by 127 (32.1%). Regarding vaccine, 290 (73.2%) respondents replied that it is not available and 204 (51.5%) said there is no treatment available for pdmH1N1. In severity scale 162 (40.9%) students rated it as fatal disease. According to 205 (51.8%) respondents, avoiding close contact with sick people is an effective preventive measure followed by washing hands with soap 150 (37.1%).

Conclusion: The awareness regarding pdmH1N1 was not adequate among students regarding disease transmission, preventive measures, vaccinations, and available treatment. As the pdmH1N1 has become a worldwide public health problem and Pakistan is at risk of outbreak, increased awareness would be a solution to avoid its spread and complications.

Author Biographies

Zubair Ali Khowaja, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Dow Medical College, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Muhammad Idrees Soomro, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Dow Medical College, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Dow Medical College, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Muhammed Ahmed Yoosuf, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Dow Medical College, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Vinod Kumar, Dow University Of Health Science Karachi Pakistan

Lecturer in Community Medicine Department

Dow University of Health Science, Karachi Pakistan

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Published

2011-03-21

How to Cite

1.
Khowaja ZA, Soomro MI, Pirzada AK, Yoosuf MA, Kumar V (2011) Awareness of the Pandemic H1N1 Influenza global outbreak 2009 among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:151–155. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1247

Issue

Section

Emerging Problems in Infectious Diseases