The Knowledge and Attitudes About Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever of the Adults Who Applied to the Health Centers

Purpose: The aim of the study is to find out the knowledge and attitudes about Crimean- Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) of people living in Kayseri, which is situated in the central Anatolia, a highly risky area for CCHF. Materials and methods: This study was carried out by inquiring face to face with 1586 adults who consulted to ten health centers. Results: The percentage of those who have heard of CCHF is 41.6%. Nine out of every 10 illiterate people have not heard of the illness. If a tick is attached to the body, 25.1% of the individuals have stated that they will try to pull the tick out from the skin by themselves. This rate is 50.0% in those busy with livestock, 54.8% in those living in the rural areas, and 66.7% in agricultural workers (p 0.05). Of those who stated that they would pull the tick out from the skin by themselves, the percentage of those who think that pulling the tick directly out from the skin with hand is correct is 55.5%, and who think that pouring alcohol, gasoline or cologne on to the tick is correct is 40.2%. Conclusion: The knowledge and attitudes about the CCHF are inadequate even among users of health centers.