Merlin Rajakumari S., Radhika R., Sujitra V., Navaneetha M. | International Journal of Immunological Nursing | Vol 12, Issue 01 | pp. 27-30 | ISSN: 2456-1592
Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus is a re‑emerging zoonotic infection in India, often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific symptoms. Awareness among adults is crucial for early detection and prevention. Objective: To assess baseline knowledge of scrub typhus among adults, evaluate the effectiveness of a planned teaching programme, and examine associations with demographic variables. Methods: A one‑group pre‑test and post‑test design was used. Fifty adults from Muthialpet, Puducherry were selected by convenience sampling. Knowledge was assessed using a validated structured questionnaire. Intervention consisted of a planned teaching programme with audiovisual aids. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Pre‑test findings showed 62% of participants had inadequate knowledge. Post‑test results revealed 80% had adequate knowledge. The mean knowledge score improved significantly from 7.10 to 12.54 (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between pre‑test knowledge and demographic variables. Conclusion: The planned teaching programme was effective in improving knowledge of scrub typhus among adults. Such interventions can be integrated into community health education to reduce disease burden.
Keywords: Scrub typhus, planned teaching programme, knowledge, community health, Puducherry
🔒 This is a subscription article
Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.
SubscribePurchase this articleInstitutional / Login accessReferences
- Polit DF, Beck CT. Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011.
- Sharma SK. Nursing research and statistics. Elsevier Health; 2017.
- Rajapakse S, Weeratunga P, Sivayoganathan S, Fernando SD. Clinical manifestations of scrub typhus. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2017 Feb 1;111(2):43–54. doi: 1093/trstmh/trx017. PMID: 28449088.
- Xu G, Walker DH, Jupiter D, Melby PC, Arcari CM. A review of the global epidemiology of scrub typhus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Nov 3;11(11):e0006062. doi: 1371/journal.pntd.0006062. PMID: 29099844; PMCID: PMC5687757.
- Musa TH, Ahmad T, Wana MN, Li W, Musa HH, Sharun K, et al. The epidemiology, diagnosis and management of scrub typhus disease in China. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2021 Oct 3;17(10):3795–3805. doi: 1080/21645515.2021.1934355. Epub 2021 Jun 14. PMID: 34124995; PMCID: PMC8437466.
- Zhang M, Wang XJ, Zhao ZT. Current epidemic status and issues on prevention and control of scrub typhus. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Apr;32(4):419–23. Chinese. PMID: 21569679.
- Liu YX, Feng D, Suo JJ, Xing YB, Liu G, Liu LH, et al. Clinical characteristics of the autumn-winter type scrub typhus cases in south of Shandong province, northern China. BMC Infect Dis. 2009 Jun 4;9:82. doi: 1186/1471-2334-9-82. PMID: 19493361; PMCID: PMC2703643.
- Kim HL, Park HR, Kim CM, Cha YJ, Yun NR, Kim DM. Indicators of severe prognosis of scrub typhus: Prognostic factors of scrub typhus severity. BMC Infect Dis. 2019 Mar 25;19(1):283. doi: 1186/s12879-019-3903-9. PMID: 30909868; PMCID: PMC6434784.
- Lee HI, Shim SK, Song BG, Choi EN, Hwang KJ, Park MY, et al. Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus, in a novel mite species, Eushoengastia koreaensis, in Korea. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011 Mar;11(3):209–14. doi: 1089/vbz.2009.0180. PMID: 21443412.
- Elliott I, Pearson I, Dahal P, Thomas NV, Roberts T, Newton PN. Scrub typhus ecology: A systematic review of Orientia in vectors and hosts. Parasit Vectors. 2019 Nov 4;12(1):513. doi: 1186/s13071-019-3751-x. PMID: 31685019; PMCID: PMC6829833.
- Lee IY, Kim HC, Lee YS, Seo JH, Lim JW, Yong TS, et al. Geographical distribution and relative abundance of vectors of scrub typhus in the Republic of Korea. Korean J Parasitol. 2009 Dec;47(4):381–6. doi: 3347/kjp.2009.47.4.381. Epub 2009 Dec 1. PMID: 19967086; PMCID: PMC2788717.
How to cite this article
@article{SMR2026,
author = {Merlin Rajakumari S. and Radhika R. and Sujitra V. and Navaneetha M.},
title = {Knowledge Enhancement on Scrub Typhus Through Planned Teaching: A Study Among UrbanAdults in Puducherry},
journal = {International Journal of Immunological Nursing},
year = {2026},
volume = {12},
number = {01},
pages = {27--30},
issn = {2456-1592},
url = {https://journalspub.com/publication/ijin/article=28024}
}