Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards avian influenza A (H5N1) among Cambodian women: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To measure highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) among Cambodian women.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study selected 246 married women aged between 18-55 years who had backyard poultry and lived at least one year in the areas of the survey through multi-stage cluster sampling. An average score of correct answers was generated to evaluate respondents' knowledge (Good/Poor), attitudes (Positive/Negative), and practices (Good/Bad).


RESULTS
We reported that about half of the respondents had good knowledge and good practices and four-fifth of them had positive attitudes towards HPAI. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated through a logistic regression model to explore contributing factors that raise their KAP levels. Most of the sources were significant in increasing knowledge of the respondent, like television (OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.0-2.7), radio (OR=2.5, 95%CI=1.3-4.9), leaflets/booklets (OR=2.1, 95%CI=1.2-3.9), school students (OR=18.4, 95%CI=2.4-142.9), village health volunteers (OR=4.5, 95%CI=2.2-10.9) etc. Factors such as television (OR=3.7, 95%CI=2.1-6.4), leaflets/booklets (OR=2.6, 95%CI=1.4-5.1), and public health staff (OR=2.2, 95%CI=1.2-4.1) had similar influence on practices. Although, we found similar effect on raising the attitudes of the responded, it was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
We report a satisfactory level of positive attitudes, and moderate level of knowledge and practices related to HPAI among Cambodian women. Raising KAPs through television, radio and other medias may be more efficient than using usual information, education and communication materials to prevent HPAI.
Young Leaders' Program in Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Mav
M
Khun
Chantha
C
Heng
Harun-Or-Rashid
HO
Md
Hideki
H
Kasuya
Junichi
J
Sakamoto
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D002160:Cambodia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D055815:Young Adult