[Knowledge and practices about the prevention and the control of the influenza A H1N1 in the community of Floridablanca, Santander]. / Conocimientos y prácticas sobre la prevención y el control de la influenza AH1N1 en una comunidad de Floridablanca, Santander.

INTRODUCTION: The influenza A H1N1 generated a pandemic during 2009; governments around the world developed mitigation and control strategies to contain its spread. In Santander prevention plans in a local community were put into practice. OBJECTIVES: The knowledge and practices of the population were assessed with respect to the prevention and control of pandemic influenza A H1N1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a random sample of processed survey designed by one of the investigators, was conducted by personnel experienced with the survey method. Analysis was by univariate, bivariate and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: The sample obtained was of 340 inhabitants. Nearly the entire population (97.4%) were aware of the pandemic. Hand washing and use of surgical masks were the best known preventative actions. An association was seen between gender and level of knowledge, and between knowledge of preventative action and the media exposure. The educational level was related to symptom control measures. Age was related with the duration of hand washing and the use of quarantine. CONCLUSIONS: The community appeared to have acceptable levels of knowledge and practices for the prevention of influenza A H1N1. Continued mitigation plans at government level were recommended to prevent the spread of influenza.

Conocimientos y prácticas sobre la prevención y el control de la influenza AH1N1 en una comunidad de Floridablanca, Santander / Knowledge and practices about the prevention and the control of the influenza A H1N1 in the community of Floridablanca, Santander

Introducción. La influenza AH1N1 generó una pandemia durante el año 2009, para la cual los gobiernos de todo el mundo desarrollaron medidas de mitigación y control de la propagación. En el departamento de Santander se pusieron en práctica planes de prevención orientados a la comunidad. Objetivo. Evaluar los conocimientos y prácticas de la población sobre la prevención y control de la pandemia de influenza AH1N1. Materiales y métodos. Se trató de un estudio transversal con muestreo no probabilístico de encuesta diseñada por los investigadores y diligenciada por personal capacitado sobre el tema. Se realizaron análisis univariado, bivariado y regresión logística. Resultados. La muestra obtenida fue de 340 habitantes, los cuales se encontraban en su domicilio el día de la encuesta; de ellos, 97,4 % de la población conocía sobre la pandemia. El lavado de manos y el uso de tapabocas fueron las medidas más escuchadas. Se encontró relación entre el sexo y el nivel de conocimientos, las medidas escuchadas y los medios de difusión. El nivel de escolaridad está relacionado con las medidas de control de síntomas. La edad está relacionada con la duración del lavado de manos y el uso de la cuarentena. Conclusión. La población estudiada presenta niveles aceptables de conocimientos y prácticas de prevención de la influenza AH1N1. Se recomienda continuar con los planes de mitigación a nivel gubernamental para evitar la expansión de la influenza.

Introduction. The influenza A H1N1 generated a pandemic during 2009; governments around the world developed mitigation and control strategies to contain its spread. In Santander prevention plans in a local community were put into practice. Objectives. The knowledge and practices of the population were assessed with respect to the prevention and control of pandemic influenza A H1N1. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of a random sample of processed survey designed by one of the investigators, was conducted by personnel experienced with the survey method. Analysis was by univariate, bivariate and logistic regression methods. Results. The sample obtained was of 340 inhabitants. Nearly the entire population (97.4%) were aware of the pandemic. Hand washing and use of surgical masks were the best known preventative actions. An association was seen between gender and level of knowledge, and between knowledge of preventative action and the media exposure. The educational level was related to symptom control measures. Age was related with the duration of hand washing and the use of quarantine. Conclusions. The community appeared to have acceptable levels of knowledge and practices for the prevention of influenza A H1N1. Continued mitigation plans at government level were recommended to prevent the spread of influenza.