Knowledge and Awareness About H1N1 Influenza - Essay Example

"Knowledge and Awareness About H1N1 Influenza" is an excellent example of a paper on the virus.
The study conducted by Parvathareddy noted that, in spite of the struggles initiated by public health, government, scientists, and epidemiologists among other healthcare officials all over the world, H1N1 influenza was difficult to eradicate as it was a dangerous pandemic. It is important for readers with access to this study to peruse the thesis and understand that over one million citizens of the United States were affected with Swine Flu (this is according to the reports released by WHO in 2009). Data documented by this research are proof that over 100 countries around the globe have experienced the threat of H1N1 Influenza. According to the research, ignorance about the disease was the basic reason for the rapid spread of the pandemic.

Research Questions and Purpose

Parvathareddy stated in his work that the purpose of the research was to determine if students studying or residing in Minnesota State University (Mankato) had sufficient information about handling or identifying symptoms and conditions related to K1N1 influenza. In addition, it was important to determine if they perceived the disease as a significant threat to their individual health. The study also dwelt on knowledge about potential preventive measures that could be used including vaccination to tackle the pandemic.

The study questions listed by the researcher included (Parvathareddy, 2010):

1. What is the current knowledge of students regarding H1N1 influenza?
2. What kind of general information do students have regarding symptoms of H1N1 influenza?
3. What kind of general information do students have regarding the transmission of H1N1 influenza?
4. What kind of general knowledge do students have regarding the treatment of H1N1 influenza?
5. What kind of general knowledge do students have regarding the prevention of H1N1 influenza?
6. What is the student's‟ perceived level of threat for contracting H1N1 influenza?
7. Do the students‟ knowledge about H1N1 influenza vary with their perceived level of threat for contracting H1N1 influenza? (Pg. 4-5)

The research questions' purpose of the study directly relates to the problem stated by the author in the study. Most of the research questions tried to identify the level of knowledge the students had concerning H1N1 Influenza (Parvathareddy, 2010). This indicates that the research was destined to achieve the required objectives.

The qualitative technique applied in data collection was insufficient in delivering the required amount of honest answers. Since there was anonymity for the participants, it is difficult to understand the level of interest applied while answering the questionnaires (Burns & Grove, 2011). Mailing could have also compromised the whole process of data collection because physically challenged students do not easily access it. However, the scale of data operations and safe handling of the information through the University’s portal was a major achievement of sufficient information to understand the issue of H1N1 influenza among the students.

Literature Review

The choice of sources used in the literature review includes citations of qualitative and quantitative studies conducted on the subject. Other types of literature used by the author identify the researchers that describe the history of H1N1 influenza. The references are also current with correct formatting. Since the study was conducted in the year 2010, the sources used are very relevant because they date back to 2 years or less. Accredited organizations responsible for disease control such as WHO has been widely used in the study. The author has also not failed to evaluate the weaknesses related to the available literature on H1N1 influenza. He notes that information concerning the disease changes over time; thus, the possibility of recent research and studies being rendered inaccurate or inappropriate.  

Conceptual or Theoretical Framework

In this research, the author used a particular perspective to outline the research problem. He identifies the virus causing the flu and narrows down to the period it was detected in the United States. The spread of the virus is also analyzed procedurally followed by types of illnesses that result from eating meat or pork-related to the disease. Since the study discusses the level of knowledge of the students from a specific university, the research method best suits the conceptual framework employed by the researcher. Finally, the author concludes by indicating preventive measures helpful for combating diseases associated with H1N1.