KNOWLEDGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS REGARDING PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR RESPIRATORY INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN TIKRIT CITY.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have increasingly been reported as a challenging issue for school administration resulting in student absence and/or disseminated contagious pathogens. The present study aimed to characterize the knowledge and preventive measures of the respiratory tract infectious diseases in Tikrit City (Iraq). A total of 200 male/female secondary school students enrolled in the present study. A questionnaire was prepared and directed toward assessing student knowledge regarding disease symptoms and prevention knowledge. The students' knowledge regarding symptoms was graduated in order of high to low starting with a cough (71.7%), sneezing (63.1%), difficulty of breathing (55.1%), Running nose (rhinorrhoea) (65.2%), chest pain (41.9%), muscle pain (myalgia) (40.4%), and joint pain (arthralgia) (40.9%). The preventive measures of ARTIs were recognized by students ranging in order from using a face mask (87.6%), Proper hand washing several times daily (83.4%), Good aeration (80.3%), Vaccination (79.3%), Elimination by paper tissue (77.2%), Avoid contact with infected persons (68.9%), to avoiding crowded area (66.3%). The secondary school students in Tikrit City had generally good knowledge with a good practice and a positive attitude toward prevention (RTIs) in family planning. Hence, the results highlight the important measured parameters providing a clue for the local health authorities in their awareness campaigns.