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Awareness regarding communicable diseases among the patients attending general out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata, India.

OBJECTIVE
Communicable diseases continue to be a major problem in India, a large number of which can be prevented by health education, targeting specially the deficiencies and for which a baseline assessment is essential.


METHODS
This observational study included OPD patients who were selected by random sampling and interviewed. The age range varied from 20 - 50 years.


RESULTS
52.5% resided in rural areas. 80% were literates. Majority had per capita income below Rs 1000 per month. Awareness regarding symptoms, modes of transmission, prevention and management of the studied diseases were not satisfactory. Majority used apparently safe water. Mosquito-net use was more among literates. Media was the main source of information in urban areas, health functionaries in rural areas while relatives, friends and neighbours influenced the residents of both the areas and the finding was statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
An awareness development programme involving a combination of different health education methods is suggested.