Evaluating knowledge and attitudes towards dengue fever and its vaccination in China: A questionnaire-based study in...

Dengue, a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus, has seen a significant increase in global incidence in recent decades. China has experienced a rapid rise in dengue cases since 2013, posing a serious threat to population health and increasing economic burden. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of, and attitudes toward, dengue fever and dengue vaccination among healthcare practitioners in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire survey targeting medical professionals in Zhejiang, Yunnan, and Hainan provinces, which are endemic areas for dengue virus infection in China. The questionnaire assessed participants' understanding of dengue virus transmission, high-risk groups, symptoms, and knowledge of and attitudes toward dengue vaccines. Results showed that 98.6% of participants reported having prior knowledge of dengue virus. Knowledge of at-risk populations was strongly associated with actual dengue knowledge and vaccine attitudes, which may drive vaccine acceptance. Most respondents (71.0%) held neutral attitudes toward dengue vaccination, followed by 20.8% who held positive attitudes and 8.2% who held negative attitudes. Individuals with neutral attitudes were the most critical in determining vaccine acceptance. Among those who accepted vaccination, 56.1% held neutral attitudes, and among those who refused vaccination, 84.3% held neutral attitudes. Whilst most respondents (87.6%) reported that they would vaccinate susceptible populations against dengue, only 7.5% were aware that approved dengue vaccines exist. This study provides valuable insights into current knowledge of, and attitudes toward, dengue fever and vaccination among healthcare practitioners in China. Associations between specific knowledge domains, vaccine attitudes, and vaccine acceptance highlight directions for educational campaigns and vaccine promotion.