IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 2548: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Zika among a University Community Located in an Endemic Zone in Mexico

IJERPH, Vol. 15, Pages 2548: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Zika among a University Community Located in an Endemic Zone in Mexico

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph15112548

Authors: Vianey G. Argüelles-Nava María T. Alvarez-Bañuelos Daniel Córdoba-Suárez Clara L. Sampieri María C. Ortiz-León Gabriel Riande-Juárez Hilda Montero

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the Zika virus in both students and workers at the University of Veracruz, an online survey was conducted. The participants were divided into two groups: one according to sex, the other according to whether they were workers or students. Their answers were classified into knowledge, attitudes, and practices and they were rated as low, medium, and high. The results showed that knowledge about Zika prevailing among the university population is considered as medium in 79.4% of the study population. Most respondents know that the mosquito spreads the Zika virus (98.8%) and the clinical characteristics, while sexual transmission by the virus is little known (36.85%). Both the univariate analysis (OR (CI5) 0.227 (0.070–0.735), p = 0.013] and multivariate analysis (OR (CI95) 0.234 (0.071–778), p = 0.018] showed that belonging to the health sciences area is related to having a greater knowledge about Zika. Despite the existing knowledge, a low level of prevention practices prevails in the whole community (55%). A medium level of knowledge about Zika prevailed, while proper implementation of preventive measures for Zika is low, despite the fact that the state of Veracruz—the place where the University is located—is an endemic area.

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