Community Knowledge About Climate Change and Industrialization Impacts on Recurrence of Dengue Epidemics in Selected Districts in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Dengue fever epidemics pose an increasing public health threat in Tanzania. Climate change and industrialization may influence outbreaks, while community knowledge plays a vital role in prevention. This study examined public knowledge about environmental and anthropogenic impacts on dengue transmission.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2022 with 482 participants from Bahi, Kyela, and Ngorongoro districts. A validated questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and knowledge about dengue epidemiology related to climate and industrialization. Multinomial logistic regression and tests examined associations between variables.

RESULTS

Over half of the participants (52.9%) were male, and most were aged 26-35 (33.2%). Only 21% demonstrated a good understanding of industrialization's health impacts, while 19% knew the climate change linkage with dengue. Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding climate change and industrialization impacts linked to recurrent epidemics (44.2% poor knowledge). Age over 35 (AOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.39-2.14), primary education or less (AOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59-0.99), and unemployment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.23-0.42) were associated with poor knowledge. Gender and occupation significantly predicted climate change knowledge ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Communities in dengue-endemic areas have limited knowledge about climate and anthropogenic drivers of recurring epidemics. Targeted educational interventions can improve understanding and preventative behavior among high-risk demographics.