56. PHARMACISTS' KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND CHALLENGES TOWARDS COUNTERFEIT MEDICINE IN HO CHI MINH CITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Dengue Fever (DF) is one of the infectious diseases in Vietnam, spreading rapidly and causing severe impacts on health, lives, and economic burdens on society. Disease prevention and control pose a significant challenge for the healthcare sector.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding dengue fever prevention among students at Lac Hong University in 2024.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a convenience sampling method, conducted through direct interviews with pharmacy students based on a structured questionnaire. The study was carried out from October 2024 to November 2024. The Chi-square test, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05, was used to determine participants' general characteristics that affect their knowledge, attitude, and practice.
Results: Among the 491 students who participated in the study, good knowledge, attitudes, and practices were observed in 74.1%, 60.5%, and 52.5% of participants, respectively. Social media and the internet were the primary sources of information for students (90.6%). Although students demonstrated good knowledge of the disease, misconceptions remained regarding the activity period of Aedes mosquitoes. Most participants had a positive attitude, but some lacked confidence in the disease recovery process and believed that the public was not well-informed about prevention measures. Preventive actions mainly focused on waste cleanup and the use of mosquito repellent. Cohabitation status has a significant influence on students' knowledge of the disease.
Conclusion: There is a need to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to DF through enhanced public education, awareness campaigns, and knowledge dissemination efforts.
Article Details
Keywords
Knowledge, attitudes, practices, university students, Dengue fever, Vietnam.
References
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