Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and perception towards zika virus among students and young generation: A cross sectional study

Abstract

A new mosquito transmitted virus is rapidly spreading across the Caribbean and the Americas. Cases are also reported among travelers who are returning to the Unites States. Zika Virus (ZV) outbreak is proliferating across various countries and territories like Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Puerto Rico and Panama. In Pakistan, younger generations are targeted. It has been associated with increasing reports of birth defects such as babies with small heads and paralysis in adults. Aedes aegypti mosquito bites transmits the virus. No specific drug or vaccine is available yet for the treatment. The prospective, cross sectional study was conducted by the medical professional students of Jinnah University for Women to investigate the level of understanding, attitude, knowledge and risk perceptions regarding ZV. The electronic version of self-administered online questionnaire was made available to study participants on Google form. As the responses were reported by sample size of 100 participants, the data was collected and analyzed by using the statistical package for social software (SPSS). The clear majority of respondents were females (73.2%) as compared to male (26.8%) under the age group of 18-30 (95.2%), 31-40 (2.8%), and 41-50 (52%). A significant number of young generations have no idea about Zika virus. The results of current study exhibited awareness about ZV and its treatment guidelines, methods of its transmission and understanding and knowledge about ZV in participants. Recently offered curriculum in various health care institutions should provide correct information regarding ZV.