An Investigation of Knowledge Regarding Common Ailments and Health Literacy Among University Students at Jamshoro

This study is aimed at investigating the level of basic information about common ailments and health risk among university students (at tertiary level) from three different universities at Jamshoro in Sindh Pakistan. The study is survey based on a questionnaire collectively illustrating knowledge about a disease and health literacy such as 1. Causes, 2. Signs and Symptoms, and 3. Prevention. In total, there were 8 diseases  (HIV, HPV, stress, food poisoning, hepatitis, malaria, pharyngitis, and depression) included in the survey. The reliability of the questionnaire was checked using Cronbach’s alpha (0.973). The tool was administrated electronically through google forms for the collection of the data. In total, there were 187 participants who responded to the survey. The data was analyzed through descriptive analysis to get the frequencies of the responses by the participants. The data shows that students’ knowledge about stress (77%), food poisoning (71%), and depression (76%) is high as compared to knowledge level about HIV (59%) and Hepatitis (60%) which is observed moderately high. Whereas, the knowledge level about malaria (56%) and pharyngitis (52%) is moderately low. The results reveal that the level of knowledge about 3 diseases (depression, food poisoning and stress) is high, with more than 70% correct answers, among the students from all three studied universities. Whereas, the knowledge about HIV, hepatitis, malaria, and pharyngitis is at moderate level with above 50% correct response rate. Most importantly, the awareness about only one infectious disease (Human Papilloma Virus) is found poor with almost 60% incorrect responses among the participants. The study proposes awareness campaign and sessions among students at university level through which they may develop their basic health literacy and knowledge about common ailments; and it might also have some impact on the current situation. The study conclude that a significant majority of young generation requires an extensive health awareness campaign in all higher Educational institutes. The campaign is to be comprised of basic information of causes, symptoms and curing strategies on various identified potential ailments in young generation.

Muhammad Zaman Bhutto: Lecturer, Centre of Excellence Art and Design, MUET, Jamshoro

Dr. Bhai Khan Shar: Director & Professor, Centre of Excellence Art and Design, MUET, Jamshoro

Muhammad Zaman Bhutto, Dr. Bhai Khan Shar "An Investigation of Knowledge Regarding Common Ailments and Health Literacy Among University Students at Jamshoro" International Journal of Art, Culture, Design and Language, Vol. 6, Issue 05, PP.11-16, May 2019. 

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