La gripe de 1918 en Cuba / The 1918´s influenza epidemic in Cuba

Introducción: A finales de la segunda década del siglo XX, entre los años 1918 y 1919, a nivel mundial se propagó la pandemia de influenza que se conoce como gripe española. En Cuba causó una elevada morbilidad y mortalidad, lo que motivó una gran preocupación en la población y las autoridades sanitarias del país. Objetivos: Caracterizar la epidemia de gripe de 1918-1919 en Cuba a partir del análisis de los documentos que se conservan sobre su evolución y medidas preventivas. Método: Se realizó una investigación cualitativa a partir del análisis documental como procedimientos para la aplicación del método teórico histórico-lógico. Se revisaron estadísticas, artículos, directrices y planes de enfrentamiento a la epidemia, de la dirección de Sanidad, e informes sobre su control. Resultados: Entre 1918 y 1920, se reportó la mayor mortalidad en Cuba por gripe. La morbilidad se recoge desde 1942, con cifra mayor en 1957 (tasa de 1419.86 x 105 habitantes), 1951 (6.92 x 105 habitantes), 1947 (5.88 x 105 habitantes). La mortalidad más elevada correspondió a los años 1918- 1920 (193,92 x 105 habitantes; 50,11 y 47,46). Conclusiones: La epidemia de gripe de 1918, causó en Cuba una elevada morbilidad y mortalidad, se elaboraron planes adecuados de contingencia para frenarla, de acuerdo a su naturaleza y al desarrollo de los conocimientos científicos del momento(AU)

Introduction: At the end of the second decade of the 20th century, between the years 1918 and 1919, there was a global outbreak of influenza known as Spanish flu. In Cuba, it caused a high morbidity and mortality, which led to a great concern in the population and the health authorities of the country. Objective: To characterize the 1918-1919´s influenza epidemic in Cuba by analysing the documents preserved on its evolution and preventive measures. Methods: A qualitative research was carried out by performing a documentary analysis as a procedure for the implementation of the historical-logical theoretical method. There were reviewed statistics, articles, guidelines and plans of confrontation to the epidemic, and also reports on its control issued by the Health´s Directorate. Results: The epidemic was intense until early 1919; then it had some outbreaks with a relative frequency, but in a most benign form, until 1920. The morbidity data have records from 1942, with higher figures in 1957 (rate of 1419,86 x 105 inhabitants); 1951 (6.92 x 105 inhabitants); 1947 (5.88 x 105 inhabitants). The higher mortality rate corresponded to the years 1918-1920 (193.92 x 105 inhabitants; 50.11 and 47.46, respectively). Conclusions: The 1918´s Influenza Epidemic caused in Cuba a high morbidity and mortality. Adequate contingency plans were developed to halt it, according to its nature and the development of scientific knowledge at the time(AU)

The knowledge attitude practice regarding swine flu among parents/guardian accompanying children attending tertiary care center

Background: The knowledge, attitude and behavior of the public during an infectious outbreak is important for individual protection as well as to control the spread of the disease in community. The knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Swine Flu and the correlation between Knowledge and Practices regarding Swine Flu among the parents/guardians accompanying the children attending the pediatric department of KGMCH, Nagercoil was investigated in this study.Method: This cross sectional study was conducted among the parents/guardians accompanying the children attending the pediatric department of KGMCH after the epidemic situation. After obtaining written informed consent, participants were interviewed personally through predesigned and pre-tested questionnaire to elicit information regarding awareness of Swine Flu. All data were analysed using SPSS 25 software.Results: Of the 200 people included in the study, 117 (58.5%) knew that it was a viral disease. Of all the participants, 97(48.5%) knew about the respiratory mode of transmission. Only 28% knew about the hand washing to prevent transmission. Around 93% participants told fever as major symptoms and 71% told cough as a major symptom.55% of the participants were scared regarding the deadly nature of the disease. Only 12.5% of the participants practiced hand washing as a preventive measure. Correlation between Knowledge and practice was weakly positive (Pearson correlation 0.252).Conclusion: Knowledge regarding swine flu was average among the study population. TV, friends news channels and Health care workers were found to be the most common sources of information. Lack of awareness regarding key focus areas like hand washing as a preventive measure is of serious concern.