International Journal of Immunological Nursing
Knowledge Enhancement on Scrub Typhus Through Planned Teaching: A Study Among UrbanAdults in Puducherry
1.Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, The Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Puducherrry, India
2.Lecturer, Department of Nursing, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
3.Tutor, Department of Nursing, The Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Puducherrry, India
4.Vice Principal, Professor & Head, Department of Community Health Nursing, The Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Puducherrry, India
Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus is a re‑emerging zoonotic infection in India, often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific symptoms. Awareness among adults is crucial for early detection and prevention. Objective: To assess baseline knowledge of scrub typhus among adults, evaluate the effectiveness of a planned teaching programme, and examine associations with demographic variables. Methods: A one‑group pre‑test and post‑test design was used. Fifty adults from Muthialpet, Puducherry were selected by convenience sampling. Knowledge was assessed using a validated structured questionnaire. Intervention consisted of a planned teaching programme with audiovisual aids. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Pre‑test findings showed 62% of participants had inadequate knowledge. Post‑test results revealed 80% had adequate knowledge. The mean knowledge score improved significantly from 7.10 to 12.54 (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between pre‑test knowledge and demographic variables. Conclusion: The planned teaching programme was effective in improving knowledge of scrub typhus among adults. Such interventions can be integrated into community health education to reduce disease burden.
Keywords: Scrub typhus, planned teaching programme, knowledge, community health, Puducherry
References (11)
- Polit DF, Beck CT. Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011.
- Sharma SK. Nursing research and statistics. Elsevier Health; 2017.
- Rajapakse S, Weeratunga P, Sivayoganathan S, Fernando SD. Clinical manifestations of scrub typhus. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2017 Feb 1;111(2):43–54. doi: 1093/trstmh/trx017. PMID: 28449088.
- Xu G, Walker DH, Jupiter D, Melby PC, Arcari CM. A review of the global epidemiology of scrub typhus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Nov 3;11(11):e0006062. doi: 1371/journal.pntd.0006062. PMID: 29099844; PMCID: PMC5687757.
- Musa TH, Ahmad T, Wana MN, Li W, Musa HH, Sharun K, et al. The epidemiology, diagnosis and management of scrub typhus disease in China. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2021 Oct 3;17(10):3795–3805. doi: 1080/21645515.2021.1934355. Epub 2021 Jun 14. PMID: 34124995; PMCID: PMC8437466.
- Zhang M, Wang XJ, Zhao ZT. Current epidemic status and issues on prevention and control of scrub typhus. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Apr;32(4):419–23. Chinese. PMID: 21569679.
- Liu YX, Feng D, Suo JJ, Xing YB, Liu G, Liu LH, et al. Clinical characteristics of the autumn-winter type scrub typhus cases in south of Shandong province, northern China. BMC Infect Dis. 2009 Jun 4;9:82. doi: 1186/1471-2334-9-82. PMID: 19493361; PMCID: PMC2703643.
- Kim HL, Park HR, Kim CM, Cha YJ, Yun NR, Kim DM. Indicators of severe prognosis of scrub typhus: Prognostic factors of scrub typhus severity. BMC Infect Dis. 2019 Mar 25;19(1):283. doi: 1186/s12879-019-3903-9. PMID: 30909868; PMCID: PMC6434784.
- Lee HI, Shim SK, Song BG, Choi EN, Hwang KJ, Park MY, et al. Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus, in a novel mite species, Eushoengastia koreaensis, in Korea. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011 Mar;11(3):209–14. doi: 1089/vbz.2009.0180. PMID: 21443412.
- Elliott I, Pearson I, Dahal P, Thomas NV, Roberts T, Newton PN. Scrub typhus ecology: A systematic review of Orientia in vectors and hosts. Parasit Vectors. 2019 Nov 4;12(1):513. doi: 1186/s13071-019-3751-x. PMID: 31685019; PMCID: PMC6829833.
- Lee IY, Kim HC, Lee YS, Seo JH, Lim JW, Yong TS, et al. Geographical distribution and relative abundance of vectors of scrub typhus in the Republic of Korea. Korean J Parasitol. 2009 Dec;47(4):381–6. doi: 3347/kjp.2009.47.4.381. Epub 2009 Dec 1. PMID: 19967086; PMCID: PMC2788717.