THE FACTORS AFFECTING KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES TOWARDS DENGUE INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN A RURAL COMMUNITY OF NORTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

Dengue, a viral infection primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is an important public health problem in rural northern Thailand. In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding dengue prevention and control and to determine the factors associated with KAP of subjects in the Makok Na Bua Village, a rural community in Lampang Province, Thailand. Study subjects were recruited using a systematic random-sampling technique. Inclusion criteria for study subjects were: being aged >18 years, being able to communicate and residing in the study village for at least 6 months. Subjects with physical disability were excluded from the study. This cross-sectional study was conducted during 20 January-15 February 2022. Subjects were assessed for their KAP by completing a questionnaire with four sections: 1) sociodemographic information, 2) knowledge about dengue, 3) attitudes about dengue prevention and control and 4) practices regarding dengue prevention and control. The questionnaire was scored. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with each KAP section. A total of 199 subjects were included in the study, 55.3% female. The mean (±standard deviation) age of subjects was 56.0 (±13.1) (range: 19-84) years. The most common occupations of study subjects were: agriculturists (38.2%), employees (34.2%) and merchants (15.6%). As much as 97.5% of subjects had previously received information about dengue from a village health volunteer (VHVs) or health-care personnel while 13.6% of subjects knew the duration of the anti-larvicidal effects of Temephos granules. The lowest mean Attitude score was about the harms of Temephos granules. The lowest mean Practices score was about changing the water in flower vases and adding salt, vinegar or detergent to water-filled plates under cupboard legs. Agriculturists had significantly (p = 0.019) higher knowledge scores than other occupations. Practices scores were significantly (p = 0.014) higher among those with higher attitude scores. In summary, health workers were major source of information about dengue but there were KAP gaps especially among those who were not agriculturists. Those with better attitudes and better practices. We conclude healthcare workers in the study area need to educate subjects regarding the areas with deficiencies, such as the safety and efficacy of Temephos granules. Further studies are needed after implementation of this change to determine the benefits in the study population.