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Volume 14, Number 4—April 2008
Letter

Avian Influenza Knowledge among Medical Students, Iran

Kamyar Ghabili*Comments to Author , Mohammadali M. Shoja*, and Pooya Kamran*
Author affiliations: *Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran;

Main Article

Table

Respondents’ knowledge of avian influenza (n = 234), Iran, May 2006*

Questions Correct answer % Yes % No % Don’t know
History
1. The first case of human infection with bird flu virus occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. Yes 27.7 3.2 69.1
2. Most fatal cases of bird flu have been reported in Vietnam.
 Yes
 28
 2.2
 69.9
General information
3. Influenza virus occurs naturally among wild birds. Yes 14.3 63.7 22
4. Bird flu may be transmitted into other mammals such as horses and pigs.
 Yes
 25.3
 19.8
 54.9
Transmission
5. Transmission of the disease from person to person is possible. Yes 47.3 19.8 33
6. Main modes of transmission are through saliva and nasal secretions. Yes 54.2 13.5 32.3
7. Bird flu virus can be transmitted into persons through the alimentary tract. No 74.2 15.7 10.1
8. Bird flu is transmitted into humans through handling and cleaning of contaminated game. Yes 41.3 37 21.7
9. The consumption of contaminated chicken as broiler would have the risk of affliction. Yes 72.2 21.1 6.7
10. Cooking eggs as soft-boiled eliminates the virus.
 No
 19.1
 68.5
 12.4
Diagnosis
11. A laboratory test is needed to confirm bird flu in humans.
 Yes
 10
 83
 7
Clinical presentations
12. Respiratory tract is the main infected system in the body. Yes 59.8 9.2 31
13. The incubation period of bird flu is ≈7 days. Yes 13.6 2.3 84.1
14. Symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to seasonal influenza. Yes 20 11 69
15. Bleeding from the nose and bleeding from the gums are early symptoms of bird flu. Yes 2 13 85
16. Bloody diarrhea (dysentery) is one of the manifestations of bird flu.
 No
 30.8
 8.8
 60.4
Prevention
17. Bird flu is a preventable infection. Yes 86 4.3 9.7
18. There is a vaccine to protect humans from bird flu virus. No 20.9 37.4 41.8

Main Article

Page created: July 13, 2010
Page updated: July 13, 2010
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