Influenza A (H1N1) 2009-related Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Behavior among Korean Children

Background:

During the current Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, children have been ranked among the populations most at-risk. Due to the recently occurring nature of this disease, very little is presently known about the H1N1-related knowledge, attitudes, and health practices of this population in Korea.

Methods:

Cross sectional data were derived from the Children's Health and Influenza A (H1N1) Study. The entire 6th grade (N=2,323) and their parents (N=2,089) from 11 elementary schools randomly selected from 11 school districts in Seoul completed questionnaires assessing the participants' knowledge of and attitude toward Influenza A infection, as well as any preventive measures.

Results:

In terms of knowledge, 97.9% of participants reported they knew of Novel Influenza A, and 80.2% reported mass media such TV and radio to be their primary source of knowledge. For attitude, 39.4% reported considering Novel Influenza A to be a very serious social problem, and 9.6% of participants showed seriously concern about the possibility of infection. As for preventive behavior, since the public announcement of the Novel Influenza A pandemic, 82.5% of the participants had increased their frequency of hand washing. 90.4% reported that the pandemic has changed their life patterns.

Discussion:

In general, these descriptive findings indicate that children are well aware of H1N1 and that the South Korean government's policy approach to public health education appears effective, and that children's preventive health behaviors such as hand washing have been accelerated. Further efforts toward understanding this area should be undertaken in order to reduce H1N1 infection among children.