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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices status among caregivers of infants and toddlers towards hand, foot and mouth disease: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Jiaojiao Liu, Hui Wang, Haipeng Luo, Jinhan Fu, Lei Luo, Zhoubin Zhang

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease in children, and caregivers’ awareness of the disease is key to reducing its incidence. This study aims to investigate the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) levels of caregivers in Guangzhou regarding HFMD and to analyze the association of their demographic characteristics and family situations.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used face-to-face interviews with caregivers of infants and toddlers to assess their KAP status regarding HFMD through a structured questionnaire. The dependent variables were the scores for KAP, while independent variables included caregivers’ demographic characteristics, household size, etc. Univariate analysis was performed initially to identify potential predictors, and variables with a P-value ≤ 0.10 were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the strength of associations, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results

A total of 1,094 survey responses were included. Among the primary caregivers, 655 (59.87%) were mothers, 411 (37.57%) had a college degree or higher, and 298 (27.24%) were homemakers or unemployed. The scores for knowledge, attitude, and behavior were 5.6 ± 1.5 (range 0–8), 18.88 ± 3.44 (range 6–30), and 31.91 ± 4.14 (range 8–40). Caregivers show a relatively low level of concern regarding isolation measures and the risk of recurrent infections. The caregivers identity, age, education level, household size, number of children in childcare, place of residence, and history of illness were significantly associated with KAP levels.

Conclusion

The primary caregivers generally exhibit good levels of knowledge and practices regarding HFMD, but the level of attitude is relatively low. Health promotion activities should be strengthened for caregivers who are elderly or have lower education levels, as well as for families with fewer permanent residents or those living in sub-central urban areas.

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Title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices status among caregivers of infants and toddlers towards hand, foot and mouth disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jiaojiao Liu
Hui Wang
Haipeng Luo
Jinhan Fu
Lei Luo
Zhoubin Zhang
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20539-0

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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices status among caregivers of infants and toddlers towards hand, foot and mouth disease: a cross-sectional study

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Please log in to get access to this content

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Do health literacy, physical health and past rehabilitation utilization explain educational differences in the subjective need for medical rehabilitation? Results of the lidA cohort study

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