Health Education Program on Leptospirosis among College Students in Chennai, South India

Aim: To determine the level of knowledge on leptospirosis among college students in Chennai, India before and after the health education program.
Study Design: Interventional study
Place and Duration of the Study: Seven Arts and Science colleges in Chennai, India between
January and June 2014.
Methodology: After getting prior permission from the Principals of the colleges, the students who were willing to take part in the study were requested to fill serially numbered and labeled semi-structured questionnaire (A&B). Questionnaire included demographics and questions on awareness of leptospirosis, risk factors, mode of transmission, symptoms and human vaccine. Questionnaire A was filled (anonymously) and collected after which the education on leptospirosis was provided as a power point presentation. At the end of the program, students filled questionnaire B and submitted. Statistical analysis was done using McNemar test.
Results: Out of 501 students, 28% were males and 72% were females. Age of the students ranged from 16 to 37 years with mean of 20.46 years, SD 3.477. Seventy five percent were Hindus, 20% were Christians and 5% were Muslims. Only 36% of the students were aware that Leptospirosis was common in Chennai while after the program 84% were aware of leptospirosis (P< .001). Knowledge on the risk factors of leptospirosis increased significantly after the program (P < .001). Pre awareness assessment revealed poor knowledge on the modes of transmission of leptospirosis and on symptoms of the disease such as fever and jaundice which increased significantly after the intervention (P < .001). Knowledge on human vaccine was found to be less in the initial survey which improved significantly after the awareness program (P < .001).
Conclusions: There was significant increase in the knowledge on leptospirosis among the students after the health education program. Such programs are needed to be carried out for a wider dissemination of information.