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International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences (IJPHCS)
Open Access e-journal ISSN : 2289-7577
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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF DENGUE PREVENTION AMONG SUB URBAN COMMUNITY IN SEPANG, SELANGOR

Nur Ain M., Azfar M., Omarulharis S., Azfar H., Maryam A., Hafizah S., Adibah B.A.H., Akmal N.

Abstract


ABSTRACT

Background: Globally, dengue cases has increased 30-fold in the last 50 years. The increase of dengue incidence is also experienced by Malaysia. With regards to the magnitude of prevalence of dengue in Malaysia, the control of mosquito-borne viral infection is very challenging, whereby only interventions targeted on the environmental cleanliness, vector control and changing human behavior proving effective. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice for dengue prevention, also to identify the association between knowledge and practice.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was done in the semi-urban community of Sepang, Selangor (N=305) using a guided questionnaire consisting of questions on dengue knowledge, attitude, practice of prevention, barriers and sources of information. Data was analyzed using T test and ANOVA to determine the knowledge difference among sociodemographic characteristics and the association between knowledge and practice.

Result: Majority of the respondents (64%) are having moderate level of knowledge. A total of 98% of respondents know that empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots can be breeding places for mosquitoes. However, only 27.5% know that Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day. We found a significant difference in knowledge scores between age group (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.002), income (p=0.041) and occupation (p=0.011). Regarding attitude, 98.4% agreed that dengue fever could be prevented and controlled, nevertheless, only 59% disagreed that fogging is the only control method against dengue fever. When comes to practice, 73% of respondents have limited practice towards dengue prevention. The most implemented practice was remove the stagnant water (59%). However, there is no association between knowledge and practice (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It could be inferred from this study that most of the residents have high level of knowledge on dengue, good attitude towards dengue and limited practice of dengue prevention. However we found no significant association between level of knowledge and dengue prevention practice.

Keywords: Dengue, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia

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