INTRODUCTION:

Fungi has been recognised as causative agents of human disease earlier than bacteria. Fungi causing favus (Trichophyton schonleinii) and thrush (candida albicans) begins has been described as early as in 1839, Fungal infections has assumed greater importance. Modern advances in treatment , such as antibiotics, steroids and immuno-suppressive agents have lead to an increase in opportunistic fungal infections¹.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

“A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding fungal infections among adolescent girls in selected areas of Kollam.”

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the study is:

To assess the knowledge regarding fungal infections among adolescent girls in selected areas of Kollam.

· To find the association between knowledge regarding fungal infections among adolescent girls and selected demographic variables.

Assumption:

· Girls may possess knowledge regarding fungal infections.

· There will be a significant Association between the knowledge regarding fungal infections among adolescent girls and selected demographic variables.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

1. Literature related to prevalence of fungal infections.

A study to assess the prevalence of fungal infections using National Health Insurance Data from 2012-2016 in South Korea. The study was conducted by Hwa Young Choi. The target population were patients who received treatment for fungal infections. The aim of the study is to find out the total prevalence of fungal infections in South Korea The study shows the annual prevalence of all-type mycoses increased from 6.9% in 2012 to 7.4% in 2016. Among them, the prevalence of dermatophytosis was highest (5.2%), followed by opportunistic mycoses (1.7%) and superficial mycoses (0.2%)².

2. Literature related to types of fungal infections:

A retrospective study of mycological laboratory records from January 2010 to December 2017 was carried out among patients with suspected fungal infections in the Grenoble University Hospital. Samples such as skin scrapings, nail clippings and hair specimens were collected and mycological analyses were carried out by conventional methods. In this study, a total of 5470 samples collected from 3740 patients were analysed. Among the 1984 (36.3%) positive cultures, dermatophytes were identified in 67.9% samples, non-dermatophytes in (32.1%) samples (yeasts 24.4%, moulds 7.7%). Toenails and feet were the most frequent localizations collected³.

3. Literature related to treatment of fungal infections:

A study to assess the effectiveness of oral antifungal drugs in India. This study was conducted by Derek J. Sullivan on 2 November 2020. The samples taken were 200 microscopy confirmed patients .In this study ,the unprecedented changes have been noticed by dermatologists and patients in the last few years in treatment responsiveness of tinea. They tested the effectiveness of four oral antifungal drugs (fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, terbinafine) in India in a randomized pragmatic trial .The results showed that effectiveness of all four oral antifungal drugs is limited in the current epidemic of altered fungal infections in India. Among the four drugs tested, oral itraconazole was found to be the most effective drug, followed by fluconazole, terbinafine and then griseofulvin⁴.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Research approach:

Quantitative research approach was adopted for this study.

Research design:

Descriptive research design.

Sampling technique:

Convenient sampling technique was used for this study.

Sample:

The sample selected for the study was 60 samples who were in the age group of 12-19 years residing in selected area of Kollam.

Tool/Instrument:

Tool 1: Structured knowledge questionnaire

Section A: Socio-demographic Performa

Section B: Structured knowledge questionnaire on fungal infections.

Data collection process:

After establishing the content validity, the knowledge questionnaire was given to 60 samples based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The aim of the study was well explained to them and the instructions were given to the sample. The investigator helped the students in completing the questionnaire.

Data analysis:

The collected data were organized, tabulated and analyzed. The data analysis was done according to the objectives of the study. The researcher used descriptive statistics for data analysis.

RESULT:

Assess knowledge regarding Fungal infections among adolescent girls in selected area of Kollam: The data reveals that 3% of the sample had excellent knowledge, 53% had good knowledge ,37% had average knowledge and 7% of the sample had poor knowledge when they were tested by using a knowledge questionnaire. The mean value of knowledge was 10.76 and standard deviation 3.769.

Section B: Frequency and percentage distribution of samples according to their knowledge regarding fungal infections.

Table 1: Table showing percentage wise distribution of samples according to their knowledge regarding fungal infections among adolescent girls.

N=60
Knowledge level	Frequency	%	Mean	Standard deviation
Excellent	2	3%
Good	32	53%	10.76	3.769
Average	22	37%
Poor	4	7%

The data presented in the table 1 shows 3% had excellent knowledge,53% had good knowledge, 37% had average knowledge and 7% poor knowledge. The mean value of knowledge was 10.76 and standard deviation 3.769.

Table 2: Association between knowledge on fungal infections among adolescent girls and selected demographic variable.

Sl. No	Variables	Levels of knowledge				df	Chi-squ are value	Level of significa nce
Sl. No	Variables	excellent	good	Average	poor	df	Chi-squ are value	Level of significa nce
1	Age
	12-15	1	14	10	3
	16-19	1	18	12	1	3	1.421	NS

2	Education
	High School	1	14	10	3
	Higher secondary	1	18	12	1	3	1.421	NS
3	Area of residence
	Urban	2	25	17	3
	Rural	0	7	5	1	3	0.595	NS
Sl. No	Variables	Levels of knowledge				df	Chi-squ are	Level of significa nce
4	Source of information
	Mass media	1	22	9	1
	Educational programs	0	5	7	2	6	7.357	NS
	Peer group	1	5	6	1