Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about dengue prevention among residents in Ratmalana Medical Officer of Health area

Abstract

Dengue is contributing to considerable morbidity and mortality rates in Sri Lanka and that is one of the leading causes of illness in Western Province, where Colombo district has the highest number. This study was planned to assess KAP about dengue prevention among residents in Ratmalana Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out during April to June 2016 among residents in Attidiya North in Ratmalana MOH area. An adult householder from every third house of the area was selected for the study. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool which included four sections for socio demographic data, knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dengue prevention. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and SPSS 23 was used as the statistical software. There were 312 participants for the study and 104 (33.3%) were males. Almost all the participants, (306, 98.1%) identified dengue fever as a mosquito borne disease while only 86 (27.6%) participants had correctly stated the features of the mosquito. Nearly 95% of participants stated that clear stagnant water is the breeding place of dengue mosquitoes. Further, 304 (97.4%) respondents had a positive attitude that dengue patients have a chance for a full recovery by immediate treatment. There were 188 (65%) subjects who had participated in cleaning activities within 3 months before data collection. Further nearly three-fourth of them had cleaned inside the house as a mosquito control activity but only 19.1% were interested in cleaning outside the house and road to control mosquitoes. The study concluded that the study subjects had satisfactory knowledge and favourable attitudes regarding dengue prevention, but their practices and participation in efforts at combating dengue outside their own premises was poor.