Knowledge, awareness and preventive practices of dengue outbreak in Bangladesh: A countrywide study

Abstract

Background Dengue, the mosquito borne disease has become a growing public health threat in Bangladesh due to its gradual increasing morbidity and mortality since 2000. In 2019, the country witnessed the worst ever dengue outbreak. The present study was conducted to characterize the socio-economic factors and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) status towards dengue among the people of Bangladesh. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,010 randomly selected respondents from nine different administrative regions of Bangladesh between July and November 2019. A structured questionnaire was used covering socio-demographic characteristics of the participants including their knowledge, awareness, treatment and practices regarding dengue fever. Factors associated with the knowledge and awareness of dengue were investigated separately, using multivariable logistic regression. Results Although majority (93.8%) of the respondents had heard about dengue, however, they had still misconceptions about Aedes breeding habitat. Around half of the study population (45.7%) had mistaken belief that Aedes can breed in dirty water and 43.1% knew that Aedes mosquito usually bites around sunrise and sunset. Fever indication was found in 36.6% of people which is the most common symptom of dengue. Among the socio-demographic variables, the level of education of the respondents was identified as an independent predictor for both knowledge (p<0.05) and awareness (p<0.05) of dengue. The preventive practice level was moderately less than the knowledge level though there was a significant association (p<0.05) existed between knowledge and preventive practices. Our study noted that TV/Radio is an effective predominant source of information about dengue fever. Conclusion As dengue is emerging in Bangladesh, there is an urgent need to increase health promotion activities through campaigns for eliminating the misconception and considerable knowledge gaps about dengue.

Factors associated with dengue fever prevention practices in endemic area

“…This study is in line with research Sayavong proactive health education through appropriate mass media and community clean-up campaigns will strengthen and encourage community participation, especially in terms of handling mosquito larvae in neglected places [26]. TV/Radio is the main effective source of information for dengue prevention by increasing health promotion activities through campaigns to eliminate misconceptions and gaps in knowledge about dengue fever [27]. Besides TV/radio, a study also revealed that cellular SMS could also be used for intervention because it is effective and can improve dengue fever prevention practices in the community [28].…”

Vector control Aedes sp. during pandemic COVID-19

“…Negative attitudes indicate the unpreparedness of the community in conducting preventive measures because attitudes have a directed impact on one's activity [35]. These research results are similar to the study done in the Bangladesh and Ethopia, which showed that relationship between knowledge and preventive measures for DHF's threats was also found in these two country [36], [37]. Based on the description of people's attitude towards DHF's threats, these research results are still better than the research results in Mataram City and Nepal.…”

Devastating dengue outbreak amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: an alarming situation

“…There are still a few misunderstandings about where the dengue vector breeds. The most typical breeding locations for dengue mosquitoes, according to many, are filthy and polluted water, such as sewage channels, which is a massive misconception [ 20 ]. For effective dengue management initiatives, public education on the disease should be prioritized.…”