Study of Knowledge of Students about Zika Virus Fever Infection, Tail University, Saudi Arabia

Zika virus is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti. This is a cross sectional study of knowledge of girls' students about zika virus infection in Taif University, Saudi Arabia. One hundred and thirty four (54.7%) of medical students and 111 (45.3%) of preparatory year students participated in the present study. The percent of knowledge was significantly higher among medical students as compared to Preparatory year students (47.0% versus 20.7%) (P= 0.000). About one quarter of students (24.9%) knew who is at risk of being infected. (29.1%) of medical students and (19.8%) of preparatory year students mentioned that anyone who lives in or travels to an area where Zika virus is found can get it from mosquito bites. About thirty-one percent mentioned to some extent how Zika infection is prevented. The percent was (37.3%) among medical students and (24.3%) among preparatory year students. The main mentioned points were mosquito control and not travelling to epidemic area. Because Zika virus outbreaks could cause additional burdens on all levels of the health care system, it is essential to improve and implement protocols and well established plans for the patient screening and treatment and increasing knowledge of medical workers.