Knowledge, attitude and practice of El-Minia university students towards pandemic H1N1, Egypt, 2009

Abstract

Aim This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of El-Minia university students regarding H1N1 and its preventive measures. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,312 students of El-Minia University chosen by a stratified systematic random sample in the period from 5 October to 11 November, 2009. A questionnaire about knowledge, attitudes and practice towards H1N1 was completed by students. The statistical Program SPSS for Windows version 11 had been used in analysis. Results 60.2% of students answered <4 questions correctly and 39.8% answered ≥4 correctly. Increase in the level of knowledge was associated with more willingness to comply with home isolation (p<0.001). 87.7% of students carried out one or more of recommended behaviors in the past 4 days. Conclusion The results support efforts to inform students about specific actions that can reduce the risks from swine flu.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice toward COVID-19 among Egyptians

“…This insufficient practice level is also in agreement with that present in the previous Egyptian study done on avian flu, where 58.1% of the participants had a fair practice level [ 25 ]. The sufficient hand hygiene practice among all participants is in consistent with that observed in the previous Egyptian study, where 87.5% washed their hands with soap and water frequently more than usual [ 24 ]. This adherence to hand washing practice could be explained by the health education massage given by all campaigns during the peak periods of infectious diseases transmission [ 30 ].…”

“…The overall good practice was reported among 65.9%. This marked difference between the KAP of the participants was observed in the previous Egyptian study done on H1N1, where only 12.5% reduced their use of public transport, 25.1% reduced their shopping times, and 22.6% avoided crowded places [ 24 ]. This insufficient practice level is also in agreement with that present in the previous Egyptian study done on avian flu, where 58.1% of the participants had a fair practice level [ 25 ].…”

“…This pessimistic attitude differs from that revealed from the previous Egyptian study done on avian flu, where 87.5% had a positive attitude toward prevention and control [ 25 ]. It differs from the Egyptian study done on H1N1, where 48.5% were afraid of death, and 47.3% thought that the disease may affect them or their families [ 24 ]. It also disagrees with results revealed from the Chinese study, where 90.8% thought that COVID-19 will be successfully controlled, and 97.1% were confident that China will win the battle against the COVID-19 [ 22 ].…”

“…Fortunately, this study showed a good level of knowledge when compared to a study done in 2009 to assess the KAP of Egyptian university students regarding H1N1, where only 39.8% of the participants answered ≥4 questions correctly [ 24 ]. But it was lower than the level of knowledge reported in a study done in 2010 to assess the rural community KAP regarding avian Influenza, where 75.7% of the respondents had a fair knowledge level [ 24 ]. Of the participants, 88.3% were pessimistic as they saw that the country instructions are not enough, only 36.5% saw that the disease will be contained soon, and 95.8% were afraid.…”

Influenza pandemic preparedness in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region

“…One criticized the policy adopted by local authorities in response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic (11). The other assessed the knowledge level of medical students regarding preventive measures of H1N1 (12). Another three published articles from Egypt were KAP type (13,14).…”