Knowledge of primary school students about H1N1 in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Experience with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in many countries has demonstrated the importance of schools in amplifying transmission of the virus, both within schools and in the wider community.

To assess the knowledge of primary school students about H1N1 flu and to review school clinic records for detected cases of H1N1 and vaccination coverage.

Female primary school students in Dammam and Khobar cities in Saudi Arabia were considered our target population (46,884 students).

Our sample included 500 primary students selected by multi-stage, stratified random sampling with proportional allocation from private to public schools in Dammam and Khobar.

Data was collected by a group interview questionnaire from primary students to assess their knowledge about H1N1 flu prevention and by reviewing of school clinic records.

The present study revealed that the primary school students’ knowledge about H1N1 was generally fair or good in about (62%) of the students.

Although, there was a deficit in the primary school students’ knowledge concerning the clinical manifestations of H1N1, the vaccination and the treatment of H1N1 and in the infection control.

Low percentage of the recorded was suspected and confirmed; H1N1 cases (0.7% and 0.1%, respectively) and low vaccination coverage (2.4%) by H1N1 vaccine in the studied schools.

About 62% of the primary school students had good or fair knowledge about H1N1.