Can Good Kap Amongst School Teachers Prevent H1n1 Influenza? A Beginning.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pune served as hub of H1N1 and recorded maximum deaths in India during 2009 pandemic. Teachers form important part of society which can greatly influence population. AIM: To study knowledge, attitude and practices on H1N1 amongst school teachers in Pune. Study endeavors to bring forth positive practices, which besides benefitting teachers would also translate into disseminating knowledge to students and families, resulting in maximum benefit to society. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross sectional, KAP study amongst school teachers taken was undertaken METHODS: A questionnaire based, cross sectional KAP study was undertaken on 96 teachers from a public school in Pune during June-September 2010. Epi Info version-2006 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: While most were well aware of H1N1 basics, 40% didn't know danger signs/ complications. Knowledge on prevention demanded attention. 45% believed that H1N1 isn't a big problem. About 1/3 rd couldn't appreciate importance of isolation or use of mask. Only 64.6% would stay home on having flu. One fifth believed in wearing mask at workplace and about half in keeping distance of 1m from patients. About 60% didn't believe in avoiding crowed places. 15% won't wash hands. About 17% wouldn't stay home or visit doctor if suffering from cold. Half would not take medicines. CONCLUSION: Fact that 'good' knowledge dwindled to 'fair' attitudes, which in turn didn't translate into desirable robust practices, is alarming. Efforts must be directed towards enhancing knowledge, improving attitudes and imparting behavior changes for desirable practices, which will bring change in society. It's recommended that IEC emphasizing prevention must be undertaken immediately.

Perception Regarding Swine Flu Among School Teacher in Inaruwa Municipality of Eastern Nepal

“…Among 16 schools, 8 were public schools and 8 were private. For the sample size calcula on, the informa on of a study conducted by Singh AB et al in India was considered where the propor on of knowledge of swine flu among school teachers was about 60% with 95% confidence interval and 80% power, total 9 sample size was 260 school teachers. Knowledge about the disease, mode of transmission, source of infec on, routes of transmission, a tudes and percep ons of the disease were asked and its communicability, governmental efforts to combat it, ways of preven on were also studied.…”