Author(s)

Verónica Cruz-Licea, Fernando González-Domínguez, Laura Vargas-Parada, Mónica Hernández-Riquelme, Ana Flisser

Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México.
Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México.
Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México.
Dirección de Ense?anza, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González” Secretaría de Salud, México City, México.
Dirección General de Innovación y Fortalecimiento Académico, Administración Federal de Servicios Educativos en el Distrito Federal, Secretaría de Educación Pública, México City, México.

Background: Influenza A (H1N1) is the most recent pandemic disease that has affected the human population. Objective: To evaluate knowledge and preventive measures related with this disease one year after the epidemic of Mexico- that took place in 2009. Material and methods: An epidemiologic survey regarding influenza A (H1N1) was conducted in June 2010 among 2541 students from the second grade of all public high schools in a borough in Mexico City. The questionnaire included items on the knowledge of the disease and practice of preventive measures. Results: Most students obtained the information from television, half of them from parents and only one fifth from teachers; 72% of the participants had a favorable knowledge about the disease and the measures to avoid being infected. However, only 37% practiced such preventive measures. Conclusion: Knowledge has a positive influence on practices towards health. Parents and teachers have an important role in health education, thus efforts should be directed to involve them more intensely in health education.

Alcohol Gel; Epidemiologic Survey; Hand Washing; Health Behavior; Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak; Mexico City

Cruz-Licea, V. , González-Domínguez, F. , Vargas-Parada, L. , Hernández-Riquelme, M. and Flisser, A. (2012) Knowledge and preventive measures practiced by junior high school students from Mexico City regarding influenza A (H1N1). Health, 4, 995-999. doi: 10.4236/health.2012.430152.