A Comparison between Knowledge of Medical Students and Graduates at Birjand University of Medical Sciences concerning Zoonoses (Crimean-Congo fever, brucellosis, and rabies)

Abstract Background and Aim: Although it is the twenty-first century, the leading cause of mortality in several countries still resides with infectious diseases. From among the infectious diseases, zoonoses, gain double importance because of their epidemiologic control nature. This study aimed to compare knowledge of medical students and graduates concerning zoonoses diseases. Methodology: In this descriptive-analytic study, 73 medical students and 58 participated who were selected by the census. To assess the participants’ knowledge of zoonoses at the four levels of clinical symptoms, transmission, diagnosis and prevention methods, a researcher-made questionnaire was devised according to Diseases’ Management and Prevention Booklet of the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Education upon supervision by infectious disease specialists. It had two sections: demographic characteristics and knowledge about the three diseases. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS using t test. Findings: Students’ mean scores about brucellosis, Crimean Congo, and rabies were 13.88 ± 2.47, 13.2 ± 2.16, and 11.11 ± 2.42 respectively, while those of the graduates were 14.29 ± 2.33, 13.91 ± 2.32, and 11.37 ± 2.33 respectively. The difference between awareness scores of students and graduates was not significant (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in their awareness in terms of prevention of rabies and Crimean Congo (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that there is no difference between the awareness of students and graduates. This highlights the significance of education during academic studies. Thus, there should be further emphasis on educational planning during academic studies and on self-guiding learning.