Department of Public Health, Asian College for Advance Studies, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Center for Health and Disease Studies Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Oct 8;24(1):1124. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-10025-8.
Dengue poses a significant global public health challenge, including in Nepal. Understanding community's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning dengue fever is imperative to developing effective prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to dengue fever among residents of Lalitpur Metropolitan City.
A descriptive cross-sectional household study was conducted using a mixed-method approach, which included quantitatively studying 636 individuals and conducting 20 qualitative interviews. The data was collected between April 2023 and June 2023. The multistage cluster sampling method was applied for household selection during the quantitative study and a purposive judgmental sampling method was used to identify participants for the qualitative interviews. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire for the quantitative study and an interview guide for the qualitative study. Quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression in STATA version 13, and thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The findings were validated through triangulation of results from both the qualitative and quantitative study.
Regarding knowledge, 64.94% (n = 413/636) reported being informed about dengue fever. In terms of attitude, a substantial majority, 91.51% (n = 582/636), expressed a positive attitudes toward dengue fever, indicating a favorable perception and knowledge of its significance. Concerning practice, 49.84% (n = 317/636) of respondents reported actively engaging in dengue fever prevention measures. The variables gender, previous history of dengue fever and residency were the determinants of dengue fever knowledge. Additionally, gender, residency, and attitude were predictors of preventive practices concerning dengue fever.
Our study revealed that while the community demonstrated good knowledge of dengue fever and positive attitudes toward prevention, their preventive practices were inconsistent, indicating a gap between knowledge and action. A positive attitude was linked to better adherence to preventive measures. To address this gap, it is crucial to promote a positive attitude toward dengue prevention through initiatives like education efforts and social mobilization programs. Implementing Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) programs focused on dengue prevention and control measures can help bridge this knowledge-action gap.
登革热对全球公共卫生构成重大挑战，包括在尼泊尔。了解社区对登革热的知识、态度和行为至关重要，有助于制定有效的预防和控制策略。本研究旨在评估尼泊尔首都加德满都都会区居民的登革热相关知识、态度和实践。
采用描述性横断面家庭研究方法，采用定量研究 636 人，定性访谈 20 人。数据收集于 2023 年 4 月至 6 月。在定量研究中采用多阶段聚类抽样法选择家庭，在定性访谈中采用目的判断抽样法选择参与者。采用面对面访谈方式，定量研究采用结构化问卷，定性研究采用访谈指南。定量数据采用 STATA 版本 13 中的逻辑回归进行分析，定性数据采用主题分析。通过对定性和定量研究结果的三角验证来验证研究结果。
在知识方面，64.94%（n=413/636）报告了解登革热。在态度方面，绝大多数人（n=582/636，91.51%）对登革热持积极态度，表明对其重要性有良好的认识和了解。在实践方面，49.84%（n=317/636）的受访者报告积极采取登革热预防措施。性别、既往登革热史和居住地是登革热知识的决定因素。此外，性别、居住地和态度是登革热预防措施的预测因素。
我们的研究表明，虽然社区对登革热有较好的认识，对预防有积极的态度，但他们的预防措施不一致，表明知识与行动之间存在差距。积极的态度与更好地遵守预防措施有关。为了解决这一差距，通过教育努力和社会动员计划等举措，促进对登革热预防的积极态度至关重要。实施以登革热预防和控制措施为重点的社会和行为改变沟通（SBCC）计划可以帮助弥合这一知识-行动差距。
