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Background: ILI infections are infections of the human respiratory tract. They are caused by various viruses including corona viruses, adeno-viruses, influenza virus types A, B and C, among others (CDCUS, 2005). When these infections are circulating within the community, patients with ILI infections who have both cough and fever within 48 hours of symptom onset are likely to have influenza(A or B) infections [1]. In Kenya, these infections cause significant morbidity leading to a lot of lost time of productive work and school absenteeism for children. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on the cause, treatment, prevention and control of ILI infections can help in the early diagnosis, appropriate management and preventions of these infections. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices on the cause, treatment, prevention and control of ILI infections among secondary school students and staff in Nairobi West Districts in Kenya Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to facilitate an understanding of the level of knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on the cause, treatment, prevention and control of ILI infections in secondary schools in one of the districts in the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi west district. Results: On the knowledge of ILI infections, of the 343 respondents interviewed, only 75 (21.9%) of the respondents knew viruses to be the correct cause of ILI infections. The remaining 268 (78.1%) respondents did not know the correct cause of ILI infections and some of them even had a mixture of causes. The knowledge on the correct cause of ILI infections among these students increased as we went to a higher form. Among the frequently mentioned misconceptions on the cause of ILI infections included cold weather, dusty places and crowded places. Most of the principals interviewed did not know the correct cause of ILI infections and had misconceptions that they are caused by cold weather. A majority of the respondents, 307(89.5%) were aware that there had been cases of pandemic influenza (A/H1N1 2009) in Kenya. Nearly half of the respondents, 161(46.9%) reported to have at one time missed class due to an ILI infection. Slightly more than a third of the respondents, 126 (36.4%) were aware that a seasonal influenza vaccine was available in Kenya. About two-thirds of the respondents, 227(66.2%) did not know the correct combination of signs and symptoms of ILI infections. Cough 270 (79%), runny nose 266 (78%) and fever 246 (72%) were the top most frequently mentioned signs and symptoms of ILI infections. The others were sore throat 185 (54%) and shortness of breath 115 (34%). On the attitudes on ILI infections, the majority of the respondents, 275(81.2%), felt that ILI infections were an important public health problem in Kenya. Reasons why respondents thought ILI infections were an important public health problem in Kenya included, 235(85%) saying it may affect our economy in various ways, 138(50%) felt it makes students fail to go school or class, 131(47.0%) said it makes people very sick. Most of the respondents 312 (91%) felt that the general public needed to be given information on how to protect themselves and others from ILI infections. The other frequently identified aspects of ILI infections that respondents felt need to be availed to the public were, signs and symptoms 271 (79 %) and how to prepare for possible ILI infections or influenza outbreaks 231 (67%). The preferred channels for receiving ILI infections varied but the most commonly identified ones were radio 276 (81%), television 259 (76%), newspapers217 (63%) and through class teachers 213 (62%). On the practices on ILI infections, of the 343 respondents, over half of them (57.4%), had good management practice for ILI infections. Slightly less than two-thirds of the respondents, 214 (62.4%) in this study did not know the correct control practices of ILI infections. The application of the correct practices was best among the form two respondents, 37 (44%). Among the 137 girl respondents, 83(60.6%) had good management practices as compared to 114 (55.3%) of the boy respondents. The application of the correct ILI infections management practices decreased as the level of education increased from 72.5% in the form ones to 49.4% in the form fours. The majority of the respondents, 197(57.4%) would visit a health care provider, 167(48.7%) would buy drugs from the shop, and 123(35.9%) would use local remedies to manage ILI infections. Conclusion: A majority of the respondents did not know that viruses cause ILI infections. There is need to correct this knowledge gap if we expect the public to put in place the correct preventive and

A Study to Determine the Level of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on the Cause, Treatment, Prevention and Control of ILI Infections