Abstract:
Background: Sri Lankan epidemiological reports, demonstrate strong evidence of a high
level of susceptibility for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection or chickenpox among the
adult population in Sri Lanka.
Objectives: Specific objectives of the study were, to describe the awareness of the
housewives in Ranala area on symptoms and transmission of chickenpox and practices with
regard to management and prevention of chickenpox.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly
selected sample of 200 housewives in Ranala area, using an interviewer administered
questionnaire.
Results and conclusion: Prevalence of chickenpox was 4% within two years in the area.
More than 90% (n= 184) was aware about the symptoms of chickenpox irrespective of their
education level or occupation. Almost all the participants (n=198) knew that chickenpox was
a communicable disease and 46.5% knew that the causative organism is a virus. Nearly 80%
knew that the mode of disease transmission is droplets and more than half of the participants
over 35 years, avoided from unnecessary contact and avoided bathing until 7 days. Sleeping
on Margosa leaves was the commonest traditional treatment practice known to participants
(40.5%). Two third of participants refused providing a nutritional diet to the patient. Nearly
70% of participants knew about both pharmacological treatment and vaccine while 17%
knew neither treatments nor vaccines. Majority of women knew that the vaccine for this is
not available in the child welfare clinics (95%) or the school (99.5%) when 45.5% of women
knew that the vaccine is available in the private hospitals. The elder women (>35 years) still
follow traditional practices for curing and prevention of chickenpox than younger women
(<35 years). Majority in the study population was aware of the symptoms and transmission
of chickenpox, but the awareness with regard to treatment and the availability of the vaccine
was less. Providing information about modern practices, treatment options and vaccines are
some important means of reducing prevalence of chickenpox among public.
