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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Zika among a University Community Located in an Endemic Zone in Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Vianey G. Argüelles-Nava

    (Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa 91190, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • María T. Alvarez-Bañuelos

    (Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa 91190, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Daniel Córdoba-Suárez

    (Licenciatura en Ciencias y Técnicas Estadísticas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa 91000, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Clara L. Sampieri

    (Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa 91190, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • María C. Ortiz-León

    (Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa 91190, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Gabriel Riande-Juárez

    (Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa 91190, Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Hilda Montero

    (Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa 91190, Veracruz, Mexico)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Vianey G. Argüelles-Nava & María T. Alvarez-Bañuelos & Daniel Córdoba-Suárez & Clara L. Sampieri & María C. Ortiz-León & Gabriel Riande-Juárez & Hilda Montero, 2018. "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Zika among a University Community Located in an Endemic Zone in Mexico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-13, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:11:p:2548-:d:182623
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Osorio-De-Castro, C.G.S. & Miranda, E.S. & De Freitas, C.M. & De Camargo, K.R., Jr. & Cranmer, H.H., 2017. "The Zika Virus outbreak in Brazil: Knowledge gaps and challenges for risk reduction," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(6), pages 960-965.
    2. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303705_6 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Lamia AlHajri & Heba M. Mohamed, 2022. "Measuring the Level of Knowledge and Awareness About COVID-19 Among the Community of a College in Dubai: A Comparative Study Between Participants of Health Sciences and Non-Health Sciences Backgrounds," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.

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