KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF MOTHERS TOWARDS TYPHOID FEVER DISEASE

Background:Typhoid fever is endemic in Iraq. Hot weather and the frequent interruptions of electricity and water supply during the summer months have resulted in increased incidence. Increased health and disease awareness and improved attitude of residents do indeed reduce the prevalence of typhoid.
Objective :To assess the mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice on typhoid fever.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Al-Kadhimiya Pediatrics Hospital. Data collection took place from 10th April 2015 till 20th October 2015. Sample size was (267). Sampling method was based on convenience method. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 20.
Results: Sample size was 267 (N=267). Only 1 (0.4%) of the mothers had low score, 54 (20.2%) of the mothers had average score, 147 (55.1%) of the mothers had good score, 65 (24.3%) of the mothers had very good score. There was a weak, positive correlation between age of mothers in years and overall knowledge, attitude and practice score, a weak, negative correlation between number of children and overall knowledge, attitude and practice score. Also, there was statistically significant association between mothers’ educational levels and their knowledge, attitude and practice category. A statistically significant association between mothers’ occupational status and their knowledge, attitude and practice category was found.
Conclusion: There are wide spread wrong beliefs about typhoid fever in relation to exposure to sunlight.
Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practice, typhoid fever
Citation: Taha N. Sadeq, Rasha K. Jabar. Knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers towards typhoid fever disease. Iraqi JMS. 2017; Vol. 15(1). 71-77. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.15.1.9