Post-earthquake socio-demographic conditions related to Zika Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, Nuevo Pedernales – Ecuador

Abstract

In Ecuador, the Zika’s outbreak coincided with Pedernales earthquake. There have not been studies of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) of Zika in post-earthquake conditions. Objective: To evaluate Zika´s KAP according to gender and sociodemographic characteristics of people aged 15 to 49. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic characteristics, history of Vector-Borne Disease (VBD) and Zika’s KAP were analyzed between 122 heads of households and 148 people aged 15 to 49 years dwellers in Nuevo Pedernales, Manabí - Ecuador. Results: Half of the respondents had adequate knowledge, a third presented a protective attitude and the average of preventive practices against Zika was low (5 of 9). In knowledge, people who didn’t sleep in the kitchen had higher scores with a weak effect size (DM= 1,46; Eta-square = 0,037) and people who had electricity also had higher scores with weak effect size (DM= 3,9; Eta-square = 0,036). People diagnosed with a Vector-Borne Disease (VBD) after the earthquake had an average of a greater number of preventive practices employed with moderate effect size (DM= 1,16; Eta-square=0,062). This same group had a higher KAP score with moderate effect size (DM= 2,80; Eta-square = 0,058). Conclusions: Respondents have low levels of KAP and high risk of Zika and other VBD’s transmission. Government entities must implement intensive community education programs and improve precarious housing conditions and basic services access.