title: [Level of knowledge regarding influenza A (H1N1) 2009].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Descriptive research was conducted for determining the level of knowledge (LK) held by people from Iribarren in the state of Lara, Venezuela, regarding influenza A (H1N1) 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  The population consisted of 1,800 people. The sample of 665 people was divided into groups: group 1 consisted of 300 high-school students, group 2 of 141 elementary school teachers, administrative personnel and white-collar workers and group 3 consisted of 224 people from the local community. A questionnaire containing questions about influenza A (H1N1)-2009, its mode of transmission prevention and control was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that participants' mean age was 25.19±13.88; 54.4 % were male. 73.3 % reported "fair" LK. When analyzing LK mode of transmission, 66.8 % reported "deficient" LK. A statistically significant difference was observed between LK and the groups being studied. The Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups being studied and average LK value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study's findings confirmed that influenza A (H1N1)-2009 diffusion strategies should be reinforced. Health authorities' prevention and control measures should also be continued to reduce disease transmission risk.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Epidemiología y Bioestadística, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Social, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Centroccidental, Venezuela. mdavila@ucla.edu.ve
authors.forename: María E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dávila
authors.forename: Marialida J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mujica
authors.forename: Xiomara
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bullones
authors.forename: Marco P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Marrufo
authors.forename: Damelis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Daza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human; D008297:Male