Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Dengue Fever in Adult Semi-Urban and Rural Population of Central Punjab Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and preventive measures practiced by semi-urban / rural adult population of central Punjab regarding dengue fever. Study setting: Independent University Hospital Faisalabad located in semi urban area of Jinnah Town (District Faisalabad) was selected for this study. Study Design: A cross sectional Descriptive study was conducted among the adult patients and their attendants from semi-urban/rural area attending OPD IUH. Study Population: Adult patients/their attendants aged 18years and above from both sexes and from all economical strata attending OPD of IUH were asked to take part in the study. Materials and Methods: Inclusive criteria: Participant should be residing in Jinnah Town Faisalabad for the last one year. Sample Size: 550 adult individuals were taken by convenient sampling from the OPD patients &their attendants of IUH as a representative sample of total population of Jinnah Town95% confidence interval, 5% sampling error, assumption of 50% knowledge and attitude prevalence and 15% non-response rate were decided prior to study. Results: 550 individuals were enrolled for study, 50 participants decline to continue study. Analysis showed that 83.8% participants have adequate knowledge about vector, 38.6% know about dengue fever, 83.2% have good attitude about dengue fever, 86.6% participants use some of the preventive measures to protect themselves from mosquito. Conclusion: More Awareness Campaigns regarding dengue fever are still needed in rural area to have adequate level of KAP to control and prevent dengue fever epidemics. Due to low literacy level, there is gap between knowledge and practices. Health services in rural areas are insufficient, understaffed and un-accessible due to lack of roads/transport indicating differential allocation of resources for rural areas.