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Community Knowledge About Climate Change and Industrialization Impacts on Recurrence of Dengue Epidemics in Selected
Clement N Mweya1, Simeon P Mwanyonga2, Liness A Ndelwa3
1Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences University of Dar es Salaam Mbeya Tanzania.
Background And Aims:
Dengue fever epidemics pose an increasing public health threat in Tanzania. Climate change and industrialization may influence outbreaks, while community knowledge plays a vital role in prevention. This study examined public knowledge about environmental and anthropogenic impacts on dengue transmission.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2022 with 482 participants from Bahi, Kyela, and Ngorongoro districts. A validated questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and knowledge about dengue epidemiology related to climate and industrialization. Multinomial logistic regression and χ 2 tests examined associations between variables.
Results:
Over half of the participants (52.9%) were male, and most were aged 26-35 (33.2%). Only 21% demonstrated a good understanding of industrialization's health impacts, while 19% knew the climate change linkage with dengue. Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding climate change and industrialization impacts linked to recurrent epidemics (44.2% poor knowledge). Age over 35 (AOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.39-2.14), primary education or less (AOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59-0.99), and unemployment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.23-0.42) were associated with poor knowledge. Gender and occupation significantly predicted climate change knowledge (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Communities in dengue-endemic areas have limited knowledge about climate and anthropogenic drivers of recurring epidemics. Targeted educational interventions can improve understanding and preventative behavior among high-risk demographics.
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