TY - JOUR
TI - Avian Flu: How Informed are Children in Greece?
AU - Vasileiou, Ioanna
AU - Marinos, George
AU - Katsargyris, Athanasios and
AU - Georgiou, Chris
AU - Vlasis, Kostas
AU - Siasos, Gerasimos
AU - Gialafos,
AU - Elias
AU - Klonaris, Chris
AU - Konstantopoulos, Kostas
AU - Giannopoulos,
AU - Athanasios
JO - Southern Medical Journal
PY - 2008
VL - 101
TODO - 11
SP - 1121-1125
PB - Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
SN - 0038-4348, 1541-8243
TODO - 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181826e97
TODO - avian flu; influenza pandemic; preparedness plans
TODO - Objectives: The current cluster of avian influenza outbreaks in birds
has occurred in areas where humans live in proximity to poultry.
Dissemination of accurate information may be the cornerstone for proper
community preparation. In the herein presented study, we attempted to
asses the information level among Greek children regarding avian flu.
Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in 2006 in ten Greek
prefectures to determine the information level among students about
transmission ways, symptoms and prevention measures of avian flu.
Results: A total of 1400 Greek Students participated in the study.
Approximately 75% of the students reported to know what bird flu is and
53% reported to know that there has been at least one case of avian flu
in Greece. More than half (55.6%) reported that an effective vaccine
against avian fit does exist; of the students asked, 47% reported that
avian flu can be transmitted from human to human whereas 21.4% believed
that humans can suffer from avian flu. Media contribution in providing
information was very high among Students.
Conclusion: The level of information about avian flu among Greek
students was found inadequate especially in some questions regarding
serious aspects of avian flu. This Study highlights the need for
adaptation of health programs in Greek schools, which should include the
provision of accurate information.
ER -