A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Swine Flu among Adolescents in Selected School of District Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab

Globally, India was one among the most affected countries for cases and deaths of swine flu (influenza A H1N1) during 2009 influenza pandemic with lot of public hype and panic. A descriptive research design was used to assess the knowledge regarding swine flu among the adolescents in selected community area of Punjab. A total of 60adolescents were taken from the selected school i.e. govt. Senior. Secondary School Lambi and Adarsh Senior Secondary School Kotbhai by using convenience technique. Semi structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge regarding Swine flu. It was found that 24 (40%) adolescents were in the age group of greater than15 years and24 (40%) were in the age group of 16 years and 12 (20%) adolescents were in the age group of 17. It was found those 30 (50%) males adolescents and 30 (50%) female adolescents. Approximately 41 (68%) adolescents belonged to Sikh religion. It was found that 60 (100%) of adolescents were education in 11 Sciences. It was found that most of the adolescents39 (65%) belong to joint family. Regarding monthly income of family 29 (48%) of adolescents family income was below 10000 and 12 (20%) of adolescents family income was 10001-20000 and 19 (32%) of adolescents family income was 20000 or above. It was found that majority of the adolescents 46 (77%) belong to rural area and 14 (23%) belong to urban area. Regarding the source of information about 26 (43%) adolescents obtained information from mass media. It was found that majority of the adolescents were 60 (100%) not previously affected with swine flu. The relationships of knowledge with selected socio-demographic variables were found to be statistically non-significant at 0.05 level of significance. It is found that 5% adolescents had poor knowledge, 78.3%% had average knowledge and 16.7% had good knowledge regarding swine flu.