KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES TOWARDS MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT TYPHOID IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION IN PAKISTAN

Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is caused by bacterium S.typhi. It is now becoming an emerging health concern especially for pediatric population due to the emergence of multidrug resistant strains which is preventable by taking preventive measures like use of boiled water, hygienic practices and vaccination. Adherence to preventive measures by public is highly associated with knowledge, attitude and practice towards MDR typhoid cases in child. This study is based on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Pakistani population towards MDR typhoid in child. The differences in mean scores and factors associated with typhoid conjugate vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and practices were investigated. 154 responses were received. Majority of the participants (82.5%) are young, fall in the category of 18-35 years out of which 63.6% were females and 61.7% of participants are at undergraduate level. The majority of the participants (85.7%) have the previous knowledge about MDR typhoid, its causative agents (85.7%), routes of transmission and symptoms. This gives moderate knowledge levels with mean scores of 4.6. Participants shows positive attitude level having mean attitude scores of 8.3 % since majority of the participants considers it a serious issue in children and believes that is is prevented by adopting good hygiene practices. This can be correlated with assessment of practice which shows that participants have good practice level with mean practice scores of 8.65. Use of boiled/filtered water (74.2%), hand washing practice of child before eating (76.8%), vaccination (65.8%), and appropriate use of antibiotic and consulting healthcare provider in cases of early symptoms (79.4%) shows good practice levels.