Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Dengue among Rural Communities in Rembau and Bukit Pelanduk, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practices concerning dengue among rural communities of Rembau and Bukit Pelanduk district, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Study Design: This was a community based cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among household members in two villages from Rembau and Bukit Pelanduk districts respectively in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia in August 2010. Methodology: A total of 400 respondents were included in the study with 100 respondents from each of the four villages. Data was collected by a face-to-face interview of all residents aged 18 years and above in the selected households using a pretested structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consist of three sections; the first section concerned with knowledge comprising of 10 questions, the second part related to attitude comprised of six questions and the third part concerned with practice with seven questions. Results: It was found that knowledge among the respondent was only adequate. The main source of information on dengue was from the television or radio (88.5%). The respondents’ attitude was good and most was supportive of Aedes control measures. There was significant association between knowledge and attitude (P<0.001) with an Odds Ratio of 3.8 (95% CI:2.2, 6.7). Knowledge was associated with age, ethnicity and educational level; attitude was associated with ethnicity and educational level while practice was associated with ethnicity and marital status. Conclusion: Attitude and practice among respondents were good but knowledge was poor. However, isolated knowledge on symptoms and prevention was adequate. The results are useful as a baseline data for future health education and promotion intervention programs for rural communities.