Cross sectional study of dengue fever related knowledge, attitude and practice among different socio-economic groups of population on control of dengue and its vectors in Vijay Nagar area of Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), India

Abstract

Dengue Fever (DF) is one of the rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral illness all over the world. With time DF is spreading to different countries and has expanded its wings from urban to rural areas. Dengue has been made a notifiable public health problem in many places including Delhi during recent decades. Rapid urbanization, environmental changes and neglected rural areas which leads to vector breeding have resulted in rise of Dengue fever. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding DF among residents of Vijay Nagar, Ghaziabad. Detailed survey was done among residents of Vijay Nagar area of Ghaziabad using a pre-designed questionnaire knowledge, attitudes and practices of DF among study population was represented as percentage. Out of 275 individuals interviewed, 95% identified fever as an important symptom of DF. The knowledge about other symptoms of DF was low among residents. Only about 19% of residents knew that DF is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Only 30% of residents knew the correct biting time. Despite low knowledge, the residents had good attitude and most of them reported good preventive practices against dengue prevention and control. Awareness campaigns and involvement of community can help to protect the health of people against DF and to limit in future spread of DF.