Journal of Bioequivalence & Bioavailability

Abstract

Interveninig Swine Flu Epidemic

Saima Asif, Tanweer Alam and Safila Naveed

Since the emergence of Swine flu as global pandemic in 2009 thousands of cases have been reported worldwide with an alarming wave in Pakistan as well. The disease may prove to be deadlier in upcoming years. Despite availability of Vaccination and anti-viral therapy-appropriate preventive measures are seemed to be the only way out. A critical role could be played in this regards by Pharmacists to assist the patients about the viral disease, potential risks, clinical presentation, and course of the disease can help in early detection, isolation and treatment to prevent further spread of the disease. Moreover, pharmacists could play a positive role in conveying appropriate measures and a better code of behaviour to be adopted for preventing wide spread of the virus in upcoming years. Therefore, this study was designed with a structured questionnaire for obtaining knowledge and practices of the respondents regarding swine flu among final year students (N=100) of Pharmacy. Data was analyzed by MS Excel and SPSS. Over all, the students presented fair knowledge in areas of general perceptions, viral transmittance from swine and pork products, transmittance of virus among human, high risk population as compared to knowledge about duration of infection and treatment options of anti virals and vaccines. They also seemed to be well aware of the mode of spread of disease and the appropriate preventive measures.