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Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases

Volume  4, Issue 1, January-June 2018, Pages 23-28
 

Original Article

Awareness of Vector Borne Diseases amongst Students of High School and Windsor University School of Medicine (WUSOM), Cayon, St. Kitts, West Indies (WI)

Sharma Soni1, Gugnan Harish C.2

1Ex-Lecturer 2Ex-Professor, Windsor University School of Medicine (WUSOM), Cayon, St. Kitts, WI.

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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijcd.2395.6631.4118.4

Abstract

  Background: Vector borne diseases (VBD) account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases world-wide. VBD pose a serious public health problem in several parts of the world including the Caribbean region. Awareness of VBD, their means of transmission and knowledge of measures for preventing their spread is essential for the control of these diseases. The present study assesses the awareness of high school and pre-medical students in St. Kitts about the important aspects of vector borne diseases. Methods: Demographic data on pre-medical students of WUSOM and form 4 and 5 of a secondary school were collected. Structured questionnaires comprising 18 multiple choice questions were framed to elicit from the participants knowledge on type of vectors of common diseases. Results: In general the form 4 and form 5 students, and also the pre-medical students demonstrated a low level of awareness of VBD, their means of transmission and prevention, though form 4 and pr-medical students had a relatively better knowledge of these aspects. Discussion: There is urgent need to involve school children in prevention activities through school health programme and by sensitizing principals of all government and private schools. 

Keywords: Vector-Borne Diseases; Awareness;
High Schoo; Pre-Medical Students; St. Kitts; West
Indies.


Corresponding Author : Prof. Harish C., Ex-Professor, Windsor University School of Medicine (WUSOM), Cayon, St. Kitts, WI.