Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: The higher prevalence rate of influenza A among adolescence emphasizes the
importance of preventative strategies among this age group of population. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the preventive behaviors of high school students regarding type A influenza,
in Shahrekord, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 313 high school
students were enrolled. Preventive behaviors of influenza A was evaluated by components of
the Health Belief Model (HBM), using a questionnaire which its reliability was verified through
a pilot study (alpha score 0.8). Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics, independent
t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings: Mean age of the students was 16.31 years.
Knowledge, perceived severity and perceived barriers were in the modest level among the
students. The highest scores were related to perceived susceptibility (75.4%) and perceived
benefit (55.6%). Mass media was the main source of their information regarding influenza A.
Conclusion: Considering the findings of this study and the relation between HBM components
and the preventive behaviors of students, it seems that using HBM could be useful in improving
preventive behaviors of influenza A among the studied population.

Keywords

1. Ungchusak K, Sawanpanyalert P, Hanchoworakul W,
Sawanpanyalert N, Maloney SA, Brown RC, et al. lessons learned
from influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic response in thailand.
Emerg Infect Dis 2012;18:1058-64.
2. Haghdoost AA, Gooya MM, Baneshi MR. Modelling of H1N1 flu in
Iran. Arch Iran Med 2009;12:533-41.
3. Yang H, Qiao C, Tang X, Chen Y, Xin X, Chen H. Human Infection
from Avian-like Influenza A (H1N1) Viruses in Pigs, China. Emerg
Infect Dis 2012;18:1144-6.
4. Peacock G, Moore C, Uyeki T. children with special health care needs
and preparedness: Experiences from seasonal influenza and the
2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Disaster Med Public Health Prep
2012;6:91-3.
5. Kamigaki T, Oshitani H. Lancet conferences: Influenza in the AsiaPacific. Expert Rev Vaccines 2009;8:1527-9.
6. Blake N, Stevenson K, England D. H1N1 pandemic: Life span
considerations. AACN Adv Crit Care 2009;20:334-41.
7. Kawashima H, Morichi S, Okumara A, Nakagawa S, Morishima T. the
collaborating study group on influenza-associated encephalopathy
in Japan. National survey of pandemic influenza A (H1N1)
2009-associated encephalopathy in Japanese children. J Med Virol
2012;84:1151-6.
8. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Influenza Virus
Resource, Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/
FLU/FLU. Last accessed December 2009.
9. Glanz K, Rimer BA, Viswanath K. Health Behavior and Health
Education: Theory, Research, and Practice. 4th ed. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass; 2008. p. 45-62.
10. Khan SA, Hashmi I, Ranjha AN, Yosufzai MK, Hashmi SK, Anjum Q.
Awareness of bird flu amongst young college students. J Pak Med
Assoc 2008;58:466-9.
11. Leslie T, Billaud J, Mofleh J, Mustafa L, Yingst S. Knowledge,
attitudes, and practices regarding avian influenza (H5N1),
Afghanistan. Emerg Infect Dis 2008;14:1459-61.
12. Manuel DG, Henry B, Hockin J, Naus M. Health behavior
associated with influenza vaccination among healthcare workers
in long-term-care facilities. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
2002;23:609-14.
13. Green MS. Compliance with influenza vaccination and the health
belief model. Isr Med Assoc J 2000;2:912-3.
14. Al Shehri AS, Abdel-Fattah M, Hifnawy T. Knowledge and concern
about avian influenza among secondary school students in Taif,
Saudi Arabia. East Mediterr Health J 2006; 12 Suppl 2: S178-88.
15. Di Giuseppe G, Abbate R, Albano L, Marinelli P, Angelillo IF. A survey
of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards avian influenza in an
adult population of Italy. BMC Infect Dis 2008;8:36.
16. Xiang N, Shi Y, Wu J, Zhang S, Ye M, Peng Z, et al. Knowledge,
attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to avian influenza in urban
and rural areas of China. BMC Infect Dis 2010;10:34.
17. Walsh-Childers K, Chance J, Swain KA. Daily Newspaper Coverage
of the Organization, Delivery and Financing of Health Care. Newsp
Res J 1999;20.
18. Brannstrom I, Lindblad IB. Mass Communication and Health
Promotion: The Power of the Media and Public Opinion. Health
Commun Informatics 1994;6:21-36.
19. Olsen SJ, Laosiritaworn Y, Pattanasin S, Prapasiri P, Dowell SF.
Poultry-handling practices during avian influenza outbreak, Thailand.
Emerg Infect Dis 2005;11:1601-3.