Abstract
Objectives : In order to identify the awareness of influenza A (H1N1) having currently high frequency and risk as an infectious disease, to find problems and to reflect them on curriculum improvements from students before/after clinical practices. Methods : The data was collected from 279 dental hygiene students of 1st and 2nd years at G health college university from December 6th 2010 to December 10th 2010. The questionnaire were consisted of awareness of influenza A (H1N1), preventive attitude, sociodemographic characteristics. Results : 1. 1st year was 51.6%, the case having dental experience was 51.2%, in the infection control training experience 'had' was 46.6%. In the route acquiring the information, the mass media was 70.6%, in obtained information, personal hygiene was 82.1%. In the impact on human body, 'great impact' was 58.1%. In terms of the most need for response and preparedness, vaccination was the highest, 67.4%. People who experienced influenza A (H1N1) were 10.7%. 2. Awareness of influenza A (H1N1) was 0.71 points, and treatment and spreading mechanism was 0.78 points, prevention was 0.63 points, causes and definition was 0.53 points. 3. In the attitude for infection prevention of influenza A (H1N1), 'washing hands before practice' was the highest, 0.99 points and 'wear the mask only in case of contact with patient within 1~2 meters upon occurrence of no aerosol' was the lowest, 0.72 points. 4. Awareness of influenza A (H1N1) according to sociodemographic characteristics showed the significant differences upon the impacts on systemic health (p<0.05). Preventive attitude didn't show a significant difference in grade, clinical experience, experience in infection control training, acquiring rmation routes, the possibility for occurrence, impact on systemic health, the most need for prevention, experience in influenza A (H1N1) (p>0.05). 5. The significantly correlated between awareness of influenza A (H1N1) and preventive attitude(p<0.01). Conclusions : Information and preventive attitude for influenza A (H1N1) as well as systematic training programs to identify actual affecting factors and to improve the practice are needed. Also government's institutional support is needed.
