Knowledge of Malaysian university students towards swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus : a qualitative study

Introduction: The study was aimed to explore the knowledge towards swine flu among university students. Methods: An in-depth interview was conducted among 40 Students chosen randomly and asked to participate. The interviewers followed a standardized protocol to ensure that all the participants’ interviews were conducted in a similar manner and that an identical set of questions were discussed. Data was analyzed manually. Results: The majority of the participants were aware that H1N1 is a disease caused by Influenza A virus subtype H1N1. In terms of transmission, the majority of participants believed that the H1N1 might be transmitted from an infected person to a susceptible person; 12 out of 40 students thought that people might be infected by eating pork meat. Few students reported that the pig farmers and those in close contact with pigs were at high risk of the infection. Regarding preventions, half of the participants reported that H1N1 infection might be prevented by wearing face-masks, washing hands and avoiding close contact with infected patients. Conclusion: Despite majority of the participants had the basic knowledge regarding H1N1 and its preventions measures such as wearing face-masks, washing hands and avoiding close contact with infected patients, some of them had some misconceptions about the infection, such as the infection might be transmitted by eating pork meat.