KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO DENGUE FEVER: EVIDENCE FROM A VIETNAMESE PROVINCE

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever (DF) is an acute infectious disease that easily escalates
to epidemic proportions and is transmitted mainly by dengue viruses, which are
prevalent in tropical countries, such as Vietnam. This situation indicates that
dengue prevention is a challenge for the health sector, but such prevention can be
advanced by assessments of a community’s knowledge, attitudes and practices in
relation to DF.
Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating the DF-related knowledge, attitudes
and practices of the Dong Nai community in Vietnam and exploring the relationship
between these factors and participant characteristics.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 388 residents of Dong Nai
from June to October 2017.
Results: The participants lacked knowledge regarding DF symptoms, such as bone
(17.0%), joint (29.1%) and muscle (37.1%) pain, and they obtained DF information
primarily from television (77.8%) and the Internet (56%). The results also showed
that healthcare professionals provide poor-quality information, thereby leading to
confusion as regards dengue symptoms. On the positive side, the participants
exhibited good knowledge regarding transmission, which affected the favourable
attitudes and practices of the residents. Marital status (p = 0.018), educational level
(p = 0.038), dengue history (p = 0.017) and knowledge regarding dengue patients (p
= 0.017) were significantly correlated. The DF practices implemented by the
respondents were those connected to living quarters (p = 0.009), occupations (p =
0.021), dengue history (p < 0.001) and familiarity with the disease (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: DF-associated knowledge, attitudes and practices should be improved
through effective information dissemination