Knowledge about influenza-like illnesses in medical students at Guayaquil University, Ecuador

Abstract

Background: influenza is an easily transmitted disease and its way of transmission is difficult to control if it is not properly treated.
Objective: to determine the knowledge undergraduate and graduate students have on influenza-like disease at Guayaquil University Medical Sciences Faculty.
Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at Guayaquil University Medical Sciences Faculty, during the month of February 2018. Theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis and induction-deduction, and empirical methods: the survey in the form of a questionnaire to inquire about students' knowledge on influenza.
Results: all the students reported having knowledge on influenza. 96.32% of the undergraduates identified the transmission of viral type by contact with the sick person as more frequent; in postgraduate studies 100% expressed knowledge in this regard; the most common complication was self-medication referred by 72% of undergraduate students in 72% and in postgraduate students by 57%. In relation to preventive measures, 87% and 89% expressed knowledge in undergraduate and postgraduate respectively.
Conclusions: it was found that the degree of knowledge on the influenza-like disease in terms of transmission, etiology, protective actions and preventive measures in these students at Guayaquil University Medical Sciences Faculty is acceptable. There are still some shortcomings identified in the study carried out.