Zainab Ayub, Isma Haleem, Syed Muhammad Javed Iqbal.
Knowledge and Risk Perception of Measles.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;12(2):670-2.

Background: Punjab faced an adverse measles outbreak that highlights the significance of strengthening the need for routine and mass vaccination for all children. The mortality and complications associated with measles can be significantly reduced by inculcating the knowledge of measles consequences and risk perception among parents. Aim: To assess the knowledge and risk perception of measles among mothers of children under 5 years of age. Methods: This cross sectional survey was undertaken in the Paediatrics department of King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, Lahore and Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from October 2017 to March 2018 . The institutional review board authenticated and approved the survey. A questionnaire was used for that. It was containing questions that were required to have an outlook at the basic knowledge of parents and their risk perception of measles. A total of 300 mothers were interviewed by means of non-probability convenient sampling . The SPSS 20 version for statistical analysis was used for purpose of data entry and therepresentation of domains was done in the form of frequency tables. Results: An interview of 300 mothers was done . The median age of their children was 3+-2.2 years. Majority (43.7%) of mothers were illiterate. Out of 300, 260 (87%) mothers had heard about measles. Out of 260, 42% had heard it through Medical personal. Majority (7 8%) knew that vaccine against measles is preventable if prop er measures are taken . Most of the mothers (66%) were unaware of the fact that measles can cause complications. Only 25% mothers perceived measles as severe disease. 30% mothers were aware that measles disease has the tendency to get the patient admitted to hospital. Conclusion: The awareness and perception of danger and risk of measles in mothers of children below 5 years of age was quite below optimal.

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