DENGUE EPIDEMICS: KNOWLEDGE PERHAPS IS THE ONLY KEY TO SUCCESS

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Vector-borne Diseases

Background:

• Dengue fever, a re-emerging vector-borne viral illness, poses a significant public health challenge in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia.
• Understanding factors influencing dengue knowledge and prevention is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate dengue fever knowledge and preventive practices with demographic factors (age, gender, education, occupation, marital status) in Wah Cantt.
• To determine the association between dengue knowledge levels and preventive practices.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey conducted in Wah Cantt from July to December 2011.
• Stratified random sampling selected 363 participants for data collection via structured questionnaires.
• Data analyzed using Chi-square and Bivariate Correlation, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Main Results:

• Male sex, older age, and parental status were significantly associated with higher dengue knowledge and preventive practices.
• Employment without specific qualifications also showed significant associations.
• A strong positive correlation was found between knowledge level and preventive practices (X2=79.1, p=0.000; r=0.464, p=0.000).

Conclusions:

• Dengue knowledge and preventive practices are influenced by gender, marital status, age, and occupation.
• Education level unexpectedly showed no association with knowledge or preventive behavior.
• Enhanced community education programs are recommended to improve dengue prevention, as knowledge directly impacts practice.