Knowledge of dengue disease amongst paramedical students of independent school of paramedics Faisalabad.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of dengue disease cause, symptoms, prevention and management in Paramedical students of Independent School of Paramedics. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study Setting: Independent School of Paramedics Faisalabad. Period: From February till May 2018. Material & Methods: There were total of 140 paramedical students and all 140 paramedical students of Independent School of Paramedics were selected through convenience sampling technique. Data was collected through self-administered structured questionnaire after taking informed consent from all the participants. Questionnaire was adapted from already published studies. Knowledge of dengue was categorized as adequate (>80%), moderate (60-80%) and inadequate (<60%) depending upon the correct response for a particular question by study participants. Results: Knowledge on the transmission, symptoms of dengue and methods to prevent dengue was found to be adequate that is, 130 (92.9%), 113 (80.7%) and 122 (87.1%) respectively. Knowledge on cause of dengue 16 (11.4%), species of mosquito involved in transmission 30 (21.4%), likely time for mosquito to bite 32 (22.9%), dengue is preventable 77 (55%), and where to refer a dengue patient 77 (55%) was found to be inadequate. Moderate knowledge was found for route of transmission of dengue 109 (77.9%), natural habitat of mosquito 105 (75%) and medication for dengue 90 (64.3%). Conclusion: Overall knowledge on dengue symptoms and dengue prevention was found to be better than knowledge on cause of dengue and dengue management. This necessitates the comprehensive dengue educational program especially for dengue cause and dengue management for the paramedics.