Typhoid fever is a serious disease. It can be life-threatening all over the world and in Egypt. The disease incidence in Egypt in 2009 was 15 cases / 100.000 persons. A descriptive design was used in conducting the present study. Aim : The study aimed to assess the population awareness in rural areas at Kalyobia Governorate among typhoid fever patients through assessing the relationship between their knowledge regarding typhoid fever and their socio –economic status, assessing the relationship between spread of typhoid fever and population practices, and determining the factors affecting their awareness regarding typhoid fever. A sample of convenience consisting of 100 patients, selected from Benha, Toukh, Kalyob Fever Hospitals at Kalyobia Governorate. A structured interviewing questionnaire and an observation checklist were used in collecting data. Results: Almost two thirds of the studied sample belonged to age group less than 30 years and the rest belonged to 30 years or more. A highly statistically significant difference was found as regards patient's educational level and adequate knowledge about disease (P = 0.007). The study concluded that, the studied subjects had low knowledge about the disease; their practices were unsatisfactory due to knowledge deficit. The study recommended that health education about the disease should be provided for the rural population, community participation should be stressed in any typhoid control program by increasing people interest and involvement in improving their own health and achieving better community development. |
