An inquiry of knowledge, attitudes and practices against pandemic H1N1 influenza among Turkish health care workers: Experience of a single center in Southeast of Turkey

Abstract

It is crucial to have a knowledge of pandemia. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and behavioral responses of health care workers (HCWs) toward pandemic H1N1 influenza (PI). A cross-sectional study was performed in September 2009 in Diyarbakir, Turkey. All HCWs replied to a self-administered standardized, structured questionnaire. A total of 783 participated, with 31.55% having low knowledge and 22.98% having high level about PI. It was observed that HCWs sex was affecting knowledge level scores (p = 0.005). 26.44% had low knowledge about nosocomial preventive cautions, with 24.90% having high level of knowledge. The significant predictor for higher knowledge scores about preventive measures for nosocomial transmission was HCWs occupational status (p < 0.001). The study therefore reveals that, nosocomial transmission is a major problem during a pandemic and HCWs will be essential for effective working of the health system. Efforts should be targeted at educating HCWs to improve knowledge, attitude and behavioral responses in the current pandemia, as well as for future epidemics. Key words: