Knowledge of Medical Sciences Collegians about Protection against Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

Abstract

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus, due to its person-to-person transmission through contaminated secretions, is one of the most common nosocomial infections. Medical sciences students as important members of the health profession are at risk of being infected.

Objectives: The aim of this study was investigating the evaluation of knowledge medical sciences collegians about protection against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectional and conducted during August 2015 to March 2016. The study group was all the students in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of 324 students were included in the study by stratified random sampling method. Data were collected by a validity and reliability proven questionnaire; it included 24 questions in 4 sections and was designed according to Likert five-point scale. Analysis of data was done by descriptive statistics (Mean ± SD and Frequency) and analytic statistics (T-test, Pearson correlation, ANOVA) using SPSS software version 16.0.

Results: The study results showed that the participants’ mean age was 23.37±11.64 and 207 (63.88%) students were females and 117 (36.12%) were males with the. The students’ mean knowledge score was 67.42±10.92. The highest knowledge score was about the prognosis and treatment (28.41±5.56) and the lowest was about the prevention (8.33±1.87). There was significant correlation between knowledge score with department (p= 0.001), education level (p= 0.001), college year (p= 0.013) and education level of parent’s (p= 0.001).

Conclusions: Considering the results, performing educatory courses can help increase students’ knowledge level.