Level of Awareness about Parasitic Diseases among Students, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The degree of awareness about parasitic diseases among intermediate, secondary, and university students was investigated. Three thousand and two hundred male and female students at different levels of studies from the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were asked to fill a questionnaire to estimate their degree of awareness about parasites and parasitic infections. Students studying in faculties related to the medical field were excluded. Questionnaires were analyzed and the mean level of awareness about parasites and parasitic infections among students was 2.9 (1.4) of 6. Nationality, age, level of study, family income, and previous exposure to intestinal parasites had a statistically significant influence on awareness about parasitic diseases (p<0.01). In conclusion, there is a below average level of awareness about parasites and parasitic diseases among students. Inoculating more information about parasites and parasitic diseases in school curricula will help in increasing the awareness level. The media can also be used more efficiently to provide more information and increase the level of awareness.