Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Dengue Fever among University Students in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Inadequate knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) on dengue fever (DF) can substantially affect vulnerable people like Bangladeshi university students because of their living status. However, it has never been explored. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the level of KAP regarding DF among university students of Bangladesh.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2023 to January 2024 among 671 university students through convenient sampling. All statistical analysis was performed at 0.05 α level and Hosmer-Lemeshow test was checked to certain the Goodness of fit of the logistic regression models.Results 30.4% of university students had good knowledge on DF and 35.9% had good practice on DF in spite of having higher attitude level (72.28%). Knowledge (aOR:1.7, 95%CI: 1.2–2.5) and attitude (aOR:1.7, 95%CI: 1.2–2.5) were positively associated among participants who had dengue related subjects. Participants who faced dengue cases among their family members (aOR:1.7, 95%CI: 1.2–2.4) had significant level of preventive practices.Conclusions Overall knowledge and practice level were poor among university students. Awareness regarding dengue fever should be created among university students. In addition, knowledge and attitude should be converted to preventive practices among these vulnerable groups.