title: Public awareness of melioidosis in Thailand and potential use of video clips as educational tools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melioidosis causes more than 1,000 deaths in Thailand each year. Infection occurs via inoculation, ingestion or inhalation of the causative organism (Burkholderia pseuodmallei) present in soil and water. Here, we evaluated public awareness of melioidosis using a combination of population-based questionnaire, a public engagement campaign to obtain video clips made by the public, and viewpoints on these video clips as potential educational tools about the disease and its prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was developed to evaluate public awareness of melioidosis, and knowledge about its prevention. From 1 March to 31 April 2012, the questionnaire was delivered to five randomly selected adults in each of 928 districts in Thailand. A video clip contest entitled "Melioidosis, an infectious disease that Thais must know" was run between May and October 2012. The best 12 video clips judged by a contest committee were shown to 71 people at risk from melioidosis (diabetics). Focus group interviews were used to evaluate their perceptions of the video clips.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 4,203 Thais who completed our study questionnaire, 74% had never heard of melioidosis, and 19% had heard of the disease but had no further knowledge. Most participants in all focus group sessions felt that video clips were beneficial and could positively influence them to increase adherence to recommended preventive behaviours, including drinking boiled water and wearing protective gear if in contact with soil or environmental water. Participants suggested that video clips should be presented in the local dialect with simple words rather than medical terms, in a serious manner, with a doctor as the one presenting the facts, and having detailed pictures of each recommended prevention method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, public awareness of melioidosis in Thailand is very low, and video clips could serve as a useful medium to educate people and promote disease prevention.
  World Melioidosis Congress 2013, Bangkok, Thailand, 18-20 September 2013 (abstract OS VII-04).
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
authors: Praveen
authors: P
authors: Chansrichavala
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
authors: Nittayasee
authors: N
authors: Wongsuwan
authors: Warinchamrab Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani, 34190, Thailand.
authors: Suthee
authors: S
authors: Suddee
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
authors: Mayura
authors: M
authors: Malasit
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
authors: Maliwan
authors: M
authors: Hongsuwan
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
authors: Prapass
authors: P
authors: Wannapinij
authors: Bureau of Emerging Infectious Disease, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, NonThaburi, 11000, Thailand.
authors: Rungreung
authors: R
authors: Kitphati
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom.
authors: Nicholas P J
authors: NP
authors: Day
authors: Centre for Outcomes Research Effectiveness, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Michie
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 OQQ, United Kingdom.
authors: Sharon J
authors: SJ
authors: Peacock
authors: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand; Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
authors: Direk
authors: D
authors: Limmathurotsakul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult