Current Issues

Zika virus is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite mostly during the day. In February 2016, WHO declared Zika-related microcephaly a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and the causal link between the Zika virus and congenital malformations was confirmed. On 8th July 2021, a Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was laboratory confirmed in a resident of Kerala state, south-west India. This represents the first Zika virus disease case ever reported from Kerala. ZIKV viral RNA was detected through RT-PCR testing at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, in a blood sample collected from the patient, a 24-year-old pregnant woman in her third trimester of pregnancy resident in Trivandrum district. The present study was entitled “A study to assess the knowledge regarding Zika virus among adults in selected coastal areas of Pallithottam, Kollam”. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge regarding Zika virus among adults, to find the association between knowledge regarding Zika virus among adults and selected socio-demographic variables and to develop and distribute an information booklet on knowledge regarding Zika virus. Materials and methods: A quantitative research approach with non-experimental descriptive research design was used in this study. The sample comprised 100 adults residing in selected coastal areas of Pallithottam, Kollam. The study sample was selected by a purposive sampling technique. The tool used for data collection was a self-administered knowledge questionnaire for assessing the knowledge regarding Zika virus and demographic Proforma. The collected data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results of the study showed that out of 100 samples, 75% had poor knowledge,25% had average knowledge and no one had good knowledge regarding Zika virus. The study also found that there was significant association between knowledge regarding the Zika virus and demographic variables like age and educational status. There was no significant association of knowledge with gender, type of family, religion, marital stats, occupation, economic status and previous knowledge regarding Zika virus. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the researchers have developed and distributed an information booklet on knowledge regarding Zika virus among selected adults.

Mrs. Jyothilakshmi J, Ms. Aleena L, Ms.AleenaMariam Alex, Ms. Aleena Mary, Ms Aleena SP, Mr. Alex Johnson Sebastian. A study to assess the knowledge regarding Zika Virus among Adults in selected Coastal areas at Pallithottam, Kollam [Internet]. Benziger International Journal of Nursing Education, Extension & Research. 2025 [cited 2025 Jan 25]. Available from: https://bijneer.bbcon.ac.in/current_issue/view/13