Knowledge-attitude-practice toward swine flu

Abstract

Dear editor, the recent publication on “Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward the H1N1 influenza, swine flu” is very interesting.1Hussain Z.A. Hussain S.A. Hussain F.A. Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward the H1N1 influenza, swine flu, in Pakistan: A brief report.Am J Infect Control. 2012; 40: e11-e13Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (19) Google Scholar In this report from Pakistan, the unsatisfied observation on the present situation of the focused medical students can be seen. A very similar observation is reported from Pakistan by Khowaja et al.2Khowaja Z.A. Soomro M.I. Pirzada A.K. Yoosuf M.A. Kumar V. Awareness of the Pandemic H1N1 Influenza global outbreak 2009 among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan.J Infect Dev Ctries. 2011; 5: 151-155Crossref PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar Of interest, the problem also exists in other countries such as Singapore.3Hsu L.Y. Jin J. Ang B.S. Kurup A. Tambyah P.A. Hand hygiene and infection control survey pre- and peri-H1N1-2009 pandemic: knowledge and perceptions of final year medical students in Singapore.Singapore Med J. 2011; 52: 486-490PubMed Google Scholar Hussain et al suggested that “Universities should introduce and encourage infection control guidelines into routine curriculum.”1Hussain Z.A. Hussain S.A. Hussain F.A. Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward the H1N1 influenza, swine flu, in Pakistan: A brief report.Am J Infect Control. 2012; 40: e11-e13Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (19) Google Scholar Indeed, this suggestion should be the basic field that any medical curriculum has to cover. However, with the present risk, there should also be additional protocols to protect the medical students who are the youngest generation in medical team with the lowest experience and knowledge.4Wiwanitkit V. Pre-clinical year medical students: at-risk of contracting swine flu.Hong Kong Med J. 2010; 16: 158-159PubMed Google Scholar Dear editor, the recent publication on “Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward the H1N1 influenza, swine flu” is very interesting.1Hussain Z.A. Hussain S.A. Hussain F.A. Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward the H1N1 influenza, swine flu, in Pakistan: A brief report.Am J Infect Control. 2012; 40: e11-e13Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (19) Google Scholar In this report from Pakistan, the unsatisfied observation on the present situation of the focused medical students can be seen. A very similar observation is reported from Pakistan by Khowaja et al.2Khowaja Z.A. Soomro M.I. Pirzada A.K. Yoosuf M.A. Kumar V. Awareness of the Pandemic H1N1 Influenza global outbreak 2009 among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan.J Infect Dev Ctries. 2011; 5: 151-155Crossref PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar Of interest, the problem also exists in other countries such as Singapore.3Hsu L.Y. Jin J. Ang B.S. Kurup A. Tambyah P.A. Hand hygiene and infection control survey pre- and peri-H1N1-2009 pandemic: knowledge and perceptions of final year medical students in Singapore.Singapore Med J. 2011; 52: 486-490PubMed Google Scholar Hussain et al suggested that “Universities should introduce and encourage infection control guidelines into routine curriculum.”1Hussain Z.A. Hussain S.A. Hussain F.A. Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward the H1N1 influenza, swine flu, in Pakistan: A brief report.Am J Infect Control. 2012; 40: e11-e13Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (19) Google Scholar Indeed, this suggestion should be the basic field that any medical curriculum has to cover. However, with the present risk, there should also be additional protocols to protect the medical students who are the youngest generation in medical team with the lowest experience and knowledge.4Wiwanitkit V. Pre-clinical year medical students: at-risk of contracting swine flu.Hong Kong Med J. 2010; 16: 158-159PubMed Google Scholar Medical students’ knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions towards the H1N1 influenza, swine flu, in Pakistan: A brief reportAmerican Journal of Infection ControlVol. 40Issue 3PreviewThis study was conducted to assess the knowledge of H1N1 among medical students, their perceptions, and behavioral intentions in the wake of the H1N1 pandemic influenza. There were significant gaps in important self-isolation protocols and preventive measures. Increased contact with both patients and colleagues can lead to unintentional transmission and contraction of influenza. Universities should introduce and encourage infection control guidelines into routine curriculum. Full-Text PDF Reply to letter to the editor on “Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward the H1N1 influenza, swine flu, in Pakistan: A brief report”American Journal of Infection ControlVol. 40Issue 7PreviewIn his letter, Joob points out that our study needs to indicate specific measures to prevent the spread among the preclinical year students. Our study was performed with the intent to show the lack of infection control measures at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan with the hope of fostering changes in areas lacking in site specific zones. Full-Text PDF