The knowledge, attitudes and practices on influenza among medical college students in Northwest China

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to understand the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on seasonal influenza among medical college students in a low-income multiethnic society. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey collected information of KAP related to influenza. A knowledge score was calculated according to the total number of correct points out of 9 questions. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake. Results 856 valid questionnaires were obtained. The average knowledge score was 14.8 ± 3.1 out of 22 correct points. Han Chinese got higher score than minorities (p < 0.001). Knowledge score increased with grade (p < 0.001). Students majoring in pharmacy had lower score than others. Questions on mode of transmission, symptoms, precautions, high risk groups and vaccination schedule had a correct rate lower than 50%. Hand hygiene was practiced by less than 40% of students after touching objects in public areas or sneezing. The proportion of participants received influenza vaccine in the past 3 y was 4.1%, 9.2% and 6.1% respectively. Willingness to receive free vaccine (OR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.31∼4.28), and awareness of the vaccine effectiveness (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.08∼2.56) were significantly associated with vaccine uptake, while the general knowledge about influenza, perceived susceptibility and severity, and demographic factors were not. The top 3 reasons for not being vaccinated were poor knowledge of the vaccine (46%), no perceived need due to good health (45%) and worry about adverse reactions (33%). Conclusion Health education is needed to improve the awareness of basic facts about influenza and vaccine, and more attention should be paid to minority groups. The coverage of seasonal influenza vaccine is quite low. Besides individual level behavior change, social and structural factors should be considered to increase the uptake of influenza vaccine.

Impact of Health Education on Knowledge and Behaviors toward Infectious Diseases among Students in Gansu Province, China

“…China is one of the 22 countries in the world that feature a high TB rate, with incidence in 2015 reaching 63.4 out of 10,000 and mortality in 2014 totaling 2.32 out of 100,000 [ 3 ]. In China, influenza is highly infectious and strongly epidemic or pandemic among young people [ 4 ]. Mumps is a common respiratory infectious disease in children and adolescents [ 5 ].…”

Acceptability of intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine, influenza knowledge and vaccine intent in The Gambia

“…However, emotions experienced at the point of decision-making may be as important in health behaviour as a cognitive assessment of the risk, such as worry and anticipated regret, which have also been shown to be predictive of influenza vaccination [20] , [25] , [26] . Few studies have used the HBM to study influenza vaccine behaviour in LMICs [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] .…”

Impact of an intervention programme on knowledge, attitudes and practices of population regarding severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in endemic areas of Lu'an, China

“…In the pre-intervention phase, the total KAP scores for students group (mean rank = 166·6) and non-students group (mean rank = 235·1) were statistically significantly different and displayed a median of 12 (IQR = 9·5-14) in students group and 14 (IQR = 11-17) in non-students group, respectively. In the post-intervention phase, the total KAP scores for students group (mean rank = 176·4) and non-students group (mean rank = 167·1) were not statistically significantly different and displayed a median of 17 (IQR = [15][16][17][18][19] in students group and 17 (IQR = 13-19) in nonstudents group, respectively. Based on these results, it can be assumed that the intervention programme had a better effect on students group.…”

“…We assessed KAP of respondents regarding SFTS based on their responses to the questionnaire provided. Table 2 shows the median (IQR) of KAP and total KAP score was 3 (1-5), 8 (6·5-9), 3 (2-3) and 13 (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) in the pre-invention phase and 5 (3-7), 10 (7-10), 3 (3-3) and 17 (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) in the post-invention phase, respectively. The results indicated that there was a significant increase in the four type scores (Ps < 0·001).…”

“…Although numerous studies have been conducted for the assessment of levels of different disease-related KAP in different regions of the world [16][17][18][19][20], to our knowledge, no SFTS-related KAP studies have been reported. Therefore, the present study was conducted among populations in endemic areas of Lu'an city.…”