ABSTRACT
Background: Swine influenza outbreaks are common in pigs year-round and infection in humans is a result of close contact with infected animals. Understanding the perception of the public and their potential resources would help public health agencies in developing educational programs to increase the awareness of the public. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices on different aspects of swine flu.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 pregnant women was conducted at Varun Arjun Medical College, Banthara, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India to test their knowledge, attitudes, and use of precautionary measures against influenza infection.Results: In this study, 98 (98%) of pregnant women were aware of swine flu infection, 85 (85%) of pregnant women knew that swine flu is due to viral infection while 65 (65%) of pregnant women were aware that swine flu infection spreads through air while sneezing and coughing. In this study, 95 (96%) of pregnant women knew fever as symptom of swine flu, 83 (83%) of pregnant women knew cough and cold as symptoms while 64 (64%) of pregnant women knew headache and body ache as symptoms. 94 (94%) of pregnant women were aware that vaccination against swine flu can prevent swine flu infection. 80 (80%) of pregnant women knew that covering mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing can prevent spread of swine flu infection while 52 (52%) of pregnant women knew that frequent hand washing helps in preventing spread of swine flu infection. 76 (76%) of pregnant women received vaccination against swine flu while 24 (24%) of pregnant women did not receive vaccination against swine flu.Conclusions: Learning more about the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the public during swine flu and other infectious disease outbreak can be crucial to improve efforts by public health officials and clinicians.
ABSTRACT
Background: Carcinoma of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. It is the commonest cancer among Indian women. Awareness regarding cervical cancer and its prevention is quite low amongst Indian women. The Pap test is a simple and cost-effective technique for early diagnosis of cervical cancer.Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in the months of September and October 2018. We included 200 women between 30 and 60 years of age.Results: In present study, out of 200 respondents, 160 (80%) respondents got married after 21 years of age while 40 (20%) respondents got married below 21 years of age. 148 (74%) respondents had 2 children, 30 (15%) respondents had one child while 22 (11%) respondents had 3 children. 166 (83%) had heard about cervical cancer, 24 (12%) knew that cervical cancer can be cured if detected in early stage while only 10 (5%) knew that it can be prevented. 54 (27%) respondents knew that pap smear test should be done as screening test to detect cervical cancer in early stage while 22 (11%) respondents knew about HPV vaccine as preventive measure.Conclusions: In present study, though women have heard about cervical cancer, proper knowledge was very less. Also, awareness about HPV vaccine and Pap smear was less. There is need for proper information and facilities for pap smear and HPV vaccination.