KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF DENGUE AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN KOTA SETAR DISTRICT
Omar M., Normaizatul Afizah I., Maryam M.N., Farah Wahida A., Muhammad Areef A., Nur Ain Kamilia A., Bahirah R. & Harif Fadzilah C.H.
abstract
Dengue or dengue fever, which is a vector borne disease, is one of the most important public health issues in Malaysia, that possesses high morbidity and mortality. Based on national data, a cyclical pattern with a dengue epidemic every four to five years is a recognized trend in Malaysia and is anticipated by the end of the year due to the monsoon season subsequently leading to favourable conditions for mosquitoes breeding. Several hotspots of dengue areas have been identified while there are also areas with active cases that are being observed with an increasing trend. The alarming trend in Kedah with an increase of 356.5% from the period of January to 13 May 2023, last year compared to that of previous year signifies a nerve-wracking state. Presently, Kota Setar district in Kedah has been on edge and concerned with regards to the rise of dengue cases according to the Kota Setar Health District Office. Prevention of dengue remains the best solution as a consequence of no specific medicine and its self-limited illness nature. Thus, this study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards dengue prevention among the Kota Setar population. A total of 257 respondents were evaluated for their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue prevention. The results indicate that the Kota Setar population has an adequate knowledge with good and moderate levels, while a poor attitude and unsatisfactory level of practice towards dengue prevention. In conclusion, the research conducted in Kota Setar demonstrated an inadequate degree of community perspectives towards dengue prevention and actions despite personal preventive initiatives or vector control measures.
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2. Hasan S, Jamdar SF, Alalowi M, Al Ageel Al Beaiji SM. Dengue virus: A global human threat: Review of literature. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2016 Jan-Feb;6(1):1-6. doi: 10.4103/2231-0762.175416. PMID: 27011925; PMCID: PMC4784057.
3. Center for Disease Control. (2016). Mosquito life cycle. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.
4. J. E Cogan. “Dengue and severe dengue.” World Health Organization (WHO), 17 March 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. Accessed 29 January 2024.
5. Selvarajoo, S., Liew, J.W.K., Tan, W. et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice on dengue prevention and dengue seroprevalence in a dengue hotspot in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 10, 9534 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66212-5.
6. “Malaysia: Dengue prevention and control - DREF Operation N° MDRMY010 - Malaysia.” ReliefWeb, 17 November 2023, https://reliefweb.int/report/malaysia/malaysia-dengue-prevention-and-control-dref-operation-ndeg-mdrmy010. Accessed 29 January 2024.
7. Oche OM, Yahaya M, Oladigbolu RA, Ango JT, Okafoagu CN, Ezenwoko Z, Ijapa A, Danmadami AM. A cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward dengue fever among health workers in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto state, Nigeria. J Family Med Prim Care. 2021. Oct;10(10):3575-3583. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_327_21. Epub 2021 Nov 5. PMID: 34934649; PMCID: PMC8653480.
8. Chng, J.W., Parvathi, T. & Pang, J. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of dengue prevention between dengue sustained hotspots and non-sustained hotspots in Singapore: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 12, 18426 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-22776-y.
9. Zaki R, Roffeei SN, Hii YL, Yahya A, Appannan M, et al. (2019) Public perception and attitude towards dengue prevention activity and response to dengue early warning in Malaysia. PLOS ONE 14(2): e0212497. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212497.
10. Dobbins JG, Elsie JG. Knowledge, attitude and practices related to control of dengue haemorrhagic fever in an urban Malay village/kampung. The SEA J of Trop Med and Public Health 1975; 6 (1): 120-6.
11. Ajzen I. Perceived Behavioral Control, Self-Efficacy, Locus of Control, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 2002;32: 665–683.
12. John M Last, Robert A Spasoff, Susan S Harrris A Dictionary of Epidemiology, Fourth Edition. American Journal of Epidemiology 2001, 154(1).