No abstract

No abstract

Background: As the deadly Nipah virus, which took the life of 18 people in 2018, resurfaces in Kerala, Karnataka being nearby state is put on high alert, among which Mysore is one such district. Even with a case fatality rate of 94.7%, early treatment and prompt control activities by medical professionals can save more lives. So with this background and relevance, the study intends to assess the knowledge and attitude about Nipah virus infection among the medical students of JSS Medical College, Mysuru district, as medical students must have a good insight about the effect of diseases on communities and individuals.Methods: The study was conducted among 4th term and 8th term MBBS students of JSS Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka. The study sample of 271 was obtained by convenient sampling method. The study was done over a period of 3 months (April 2019 to June 2019). Data regarding knowledge and attitude was collected using pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS-24. Appropriate statistical tests were applied to find out association and was expressed statistically significant at a p value<0.05.Results: Majority of the students were aware about the Nipah virus infection and 97% were aware about the recent outbreak in Kerala. 43.5% of the students had good knowledge regarding the epidemiology and treatment of Nipah virus infection and 47.20% had acceptable knowledge on Nipah virus. 33.60% of the students had good attitude regarding the preventive aspects of Nipah virus infection.Conclusions: Majority of the students 97% were aware about the recent outbreak of Nipah virus infection in Kerala. Around 43.5% of the students had good knowledge regarding the epidemiology and treatment of Nipah virus infection and 33.6% of the students had good attitude regarding the preventive aspects of Nipah virus infection. Students from previously affected places had good knowledge and attitude regarding Nipah virus.