TITLE:
Knowledge and preventive measures practiced by junior high school students from Mexico City regarding influenza A (H1N1)
AUTHORS:
Verónica Cruz-Licea, Fernando González-Domínguez, Laura Vargas-Parada, Mónica Hernández-Riquelme, Ana Flisser
KEYWORDS:
Alcohol Gel; Epidemiologic Survey; Hand Washing; Health Behavior; Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak; Mexico City
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.4 No.10A,
November
1,
2012
ABSTRACT: Background: Influenza A (H1N1) is the most recent pandemic disease that has affected the human population. Objective: To evaluate knowledge and preventive measures related with this disease one year after the epidemic of Mexico- that took place in 2009. Material and methods: An epidemiologic survey regarding influenza A (H1N1) was conducted in June 2010 among 2541 students from the second grade of all public high schools in a borough in Mexico City. The questionnaire included items on the knowledge of the disease and practice of preventive measures. Results: Most students obtained the information from television, half of them from parents and only one fifth from teachers; 72% of the participants had a favorable knowledge about the disease and the measures to avoid being infected. However, only 37% practiced such preventive measures. Conclusion: Knowledge has a positive influence on practices towards health. Parents and teachers have an important role in health education, thus efforts should be directed to involve them more intensely in health education.