Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue fever among the healthy population of highland and lowland communities in central Nepal

Evaluating the public's readiness to combat vector-borne disease threats in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) pose a significant public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Jazan region. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding VBDs among the population of Jazan and to identify factors associated with these variables. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 642 adult residents of Jazan using a convenience random sampling technique. The survey tool consisted of 6 domains: demographics, knowledge of VBDs, preventive practices, care-seeking behavior, knowledge of specific VBDs, and attitudes towards VBDs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t tests, ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression. The majority of participants (60.0%) had high knowledge scores, while (75.5%) and (77.7%) had high attitude and practice scores, respectively. However, knowledge gaps were identified in specific areas, such as the transmission of leishmaniasis and Rift Valley fever. Gender was a significant predictor of both knowledge and practice scores, with males having higher knowledge and females demonstrating higher levels of preventive practices. Age, education, income, and working status were also associated with knowledge scores. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and educational campaigns to address the identified gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Future research should focus on exploring the effectiveness of different intervention strategies and investigating the integration of VBD prevention and control measures into existing healthcare systems. By employing a multi-disciplinary approach, evidence-based strategies can be developed to prevent and control VBDs, ultimately improving public health outcomes in Jazan and other endemic regions worldwide.

Uncovering the knowledge gap: A web-based survey of healthcare providers' understanding and management of dengue fever in East Azerbaijan, Iran

BACKGROUND

Dengue fever (DF) is increasingly recognized as one of the world's major mosquito-borne diseases and causes significant morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical countries. Appropriate and timely diagnosis and risk stratification for severe disease are crucial in the appropriate management of this illness. Healthcare providers (HCPs) play a key role in dengue fever diagnosis, management and prevention. The present study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among HCPs in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey among 948 HCPs, using a structured questionnaire, was conducted in East Azerbaijan Province from May to July 2022. Data analysis was undertaken using descriptive methods, the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression. A P-value <0.05 was considered for statistical significance.

RESULTS

Out of the 948 (68.5% female) respondents, 227 were physicians and 721 were health professionals. The knowledge level of DF was found to be largely inadequate in the present study population (80.4%). The physician vs. health professional were a significant factor in differentiating attitude scores. The mean practice score regarding DF prevention and control measures among respondents was 8.40±1.97.

CONCLUSION

The findings call for urgent continuous education and training courses to increase KAP levels and increased capacity and capability for DF prevention and control. This is of outmost importance for the first point of care of DF patients.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding dengue among non-health undergraduate students of Nepal

Dengue poses a significant public health concern worldwide. It is identified as a recent emerging infectious disease in Nepal. Understanding the situation and dynamics between knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to dengue among students is crucial for effective prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to assess the KAP and their associated factors of dengue among non-health undergraduate students of Nepal to identify gaps and suggest appropriate interventions. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 429 non-health undergraduate students at eleven Nepalese Universities, with 80% of participants from the four most prominent ones in the country. Self-administered online forms were administered via Google Forms platform predominantly through social media for data collection. Data was cleaned and then exported to IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 for analysis. Demographic characteristics of respondents were described using descriptive statistics. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine the association between individual characteristics and KAP. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between knowledge-attitude, attitude-practice, and knowledge-practice. Statistical significance was determined at the P-value < 0.05. Around half of the participants were female (50.3%). The majority of participants were between 22 to 37 years, unmarried, and belonged to the Brahmin/Chhetri ethnic group. This study demonstrated a significant gap in KAP. Only 15.2% of participants had good knowledge while 25.9% and 68.3% of participants exhibited good attitudes and practices respectively. Marital status (AOR = 3.32, CI: 1.32-8.34), third-year educational level (AOR = 3.59, CI:1.34-9.57), and fourth-year educational level (AOR = 4.93, CI:1.88-12.94) were significantly associated with knowledge regarding dengue. Age (AOR = 1.73, CI: 1.10-3.01) was significantly associated with preventive practice regarding dengue. None of the demographic or socio-economic characteristics of respondents was associated with attitude on dengue. The knowledge-attitude (rka = 0.01), knowledge-practice (rkp = 0.22), and attitude-practice (rap = 0.01) were positively correlated in this study.

Clinical description of dengue and chikungunya virus infections amongst acute febrile patients in a malaria endemic area of Mfou, the Centre region of Cameroon

This study aims to determine the frequency and clinical manifestations of dengue and chikungunya viral infections in the district hospital of Mfou, Centre region of Cameroon where malaria is endemic. Blood samples were collected from suspected cases and tested for Plasmodium parasites and for the molecular detection of viral RNAs (dengue, zika and chikungunya viruses) using TRIOPLEX qPCR. A total of 108 patients were clinically suspected among which 25 % were male and 50 % were less than 15.5 years old. Of these 14.8 % (16/108) and 2.8 % (3/108) had acute dengue and chikungunya fevers respectively. Co-infection with malaria was reported in 56.3 % (9/16) of Dengue cases and 33.3 % (1/3) of chikungunya cases. Clinical profiling further revealed that nausea and vomiting show a significant difference in dengue infected individuals to those of non-infected individuals (P = 0.027). The presence of dengue fever and chikungunya fever and the absence of specific clinical manifestations highlight the need to strengthen surveillance of acute febrile infections for a better estimation of the burden of arboviruses.

Effectiveness of the Integrated Dengue Education and Learning (iDEAL) module in improving the knowledge, attitude, practice, environmental cleanliness index, and dengue index among schoolchildren: A randomised controlled trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by four distinct, closely related dengue viruses (DENV). Global dengue incidence has markedly increased in the past decades. The World Health Organization reported that cases increased from 505,430 in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2019. Similarly, the total dengue cases in Malaysia increased from 7,103 in 2000 to a peak of 130,101 in 2019. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) remain the most effective dengue prevention and control tools. Furthermore, school-based health education is key to enhancing knowledge and raising awareness of the seriousness of dengue among schoolchildren and transferring knowledge and practice from classrooms to homes. Thus, it is necessary to plan an integrated module for the primary prevention of dengue infection, specifically among schoolchildren.

AIMS

The present study intends to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a theory-based integrated dengue education and learning (iDEAL) module in improving the KAP, environmental cleanliness index, and dengue index among schoolchildren in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

METHODS

This study is a single-blinded, cluster randomised controlled trial to be conducted from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2025. The study will involve 20 primary and 20 secondary schools in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. The 1600 participants will be randomly allocated to intervention and control groups based on selected clusters to avoid contamination. A cluster is a comparable school that fulfils the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The intervention group will receive the iDEAL module, while the control group will receive standard education. The iDEAL module will be developed following a systematic procedure and delivered in-person by trained researchers to the participants. The outcome will be measured using validated, self-administered questionnaires at baseline (T0), immediately (T1), one month (T2), and three months (T3) post-intervention to measure the intervention module effectiveness. The data will be analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 28 and descriptive and inferential statistics. Within-group changes over time will be compared using one-way repeated measure analysis of variance for continuous and normally distributed variables. Within-group analysis of categorical data will use Cochran's Q test. The main effect and interaction between and within the intervention and control groups at T0, T1, T2, and T3 will be tested using the generalised linear mixed model (GLMM). Hypothetically, the KAP, environmental cleanliness index, and dengue index among the intervention group will be significantly improved compared to the control group. The hypothesis will be tested using a significance level with a p-value of 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

The study protocol outlines developing and testing an iDEAL module for schoolchildren in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, with no socio-demographic differences expected. The intervention aims to improve KAP, environmental cleanliness index, and dengue index, potentially reducing dengue risk. Results could inform public health policies, emphasizing school-based interventions' importance in combating diseases like dengue.

Community engagement and social participation in dengue prevention: A cross-sectional study in Dhaka City

Background

Dengue is a major public health concern in Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess the perceptions and practices of community members in Dhaka regarding community engagement and social participation for dengue prevention.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Dhaka City from May 2022 to December 2022. The respondents were randomly selected. The association between community participation and prevention practices was tested using the χ 2 test.

Results

The findings of this study indicate that the majority of participants (92%) believed that community effort would be relied upon in the event of a dengue outbreak. Environmental cleaning campaigns were the preferred approach, and religious leaders viewed them positively. This study also revealed significant variations in knowledge levels, with those involved in community efforts and mass gatherings demonstrating greater knowledge. This study sheds light on the demographic factors that influence dengue knowledge and provides valuable insights into the development of targeted public health interventions.

Conclusion

The study revealed negative perceptions and limited participation in dengue prevention among participants, with the majority demonstrating a poor understanding of preventive measures. While some showed positive attitudes towards community engagement, significant disparities existed in participation, highlighting the need for targeted educational campaigns and enhanced community mobilization efforts. Moreover, the importance of multisectoral collaboration is emphasized, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts among health departments, NGOs, religious institutions, and community leaders to effectively combat dengue transmission. Recommendations include ongoing educational initiatives, targeted interventions to promote community involvement, and fostering collaboration across sectors to strengthen dengue prevention efforts and to safeguard public health.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dengue among public school teachers in a Central Luzon Province in the Philippines: an analytic cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dengue has become a major health issue in tropical regions as the numbers of reported cases and estimated infections continuously increase. In the Philippines, many challenges remain in preventing and controlling the disease amidst all the mitigation efforts of the government. This study sought to measure the health literacy of Filipino teachers and determine the associations among teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and selected practices (KAP) against dengue.

METHODS

Elementary and secondary school teachers from the consistently declared dengue hotspots in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, from the years 2017 to 2019 were selected as target participants in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered online survey tool was used in this study for both screening of participants and the KAP survey proper. STATA, descriptive statistics, and multiple logistic regression were used for the data analysis. Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.

RESULTS

The study comprised 604 participants whose mean age was 38.4 years. Television was determined as the top media source of information, and various health staff were the most trusted and common source of information. Good knowledge on dengue treatment (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.18-2.78) and dengue prevention (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.26-2.71) were positively associated with having good practices on protection against mosquito bites. Good knowledge on dengue signs and symptoms (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.02-2.37) and dengue prevention (OR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.59-3.58) were positively associated with having good practices on preventing breeding sites. Those with positive perceived susceptibility to dengue had lower odds of having good practices on protection against mosquito bites (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.41-0.99) and of having good practices on preventing breeding sites (OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.81).

CONCLUSION

Even with the existing dengue policies, programs, and strategies, and the high disease literacy rate of Filipinos, dengue remains a struggle with an increasing case rate. Therefore, specific concepts should be emphasized, and interventions should be fine-tuned to better reach and influence the target population to attain a dengue-free Philippines.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Dengue Prevention Among Health Volunteers in an Urban Area - Malang, Indonesia

OBJECTIVES

The dengue prevention program known as "One House One Mosquito Larva Inspector" involves health volunteers who play a crucial role in the surveillance of mosquito larvae and reporting their findings to local public health officials. This study aimed to identify factors related to the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dengue prevention behavior among these health volunteers.

METHODS

A study was conducted in 5 sub-districts in Malang, an urban area in Indonesia. We employed a cross-sectional design and utilized a semi-structured questionnaire to assess the KAP of 400 health volunteers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews.

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with a more positive attitude (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; p<0.05) and those with family sizes greater than five persons (OR, 1.90; p<0.05) were more likely to engage in effective dengue prevention practices. Additionally, possesing good knowledge was significantly assocated with more positive attitude (OR, 2.24; p<0.001). Furthermore, 40% reduction in positive attitude was observed in those over 45 years (OR, 0.60; p<0.05). The best practices most frequently reported by the majority of respondents included always reporting their surveillance activities (75.8%) and cleaning the water container in the bathroom at least once a week (65.2%). However, only 52.2% of respondents regularly checked for mosquito larvae in their neighborhood.

CONCLUSIONS

Sustainable promotion and training for the "One House One Mosquito Larva Inspector" initiative are necessary, particularly among young health volunteers, to improve dengue prevention behaviors both within their own homes and in the surrounding environment.

Assessment of mental wellbeing of university students in Bangladesh using Goldberg's GHQ-12: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

The mental well-being of university students is a primary public health concern worldwide, including in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the overall mental health status among Bangladeshi university students. The study used larger and more diverse sample compared to previous studies, and also explored factors associated with the mental health well-being of those students.

Methods

Data were collected through an online questionnaire, utilizing the proportional allocation method, from students in various universities across Bangladesh. The sample included 2036 participants. The study applied Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) using the GHQ2+ threshold (i.e., having more than two symptoms). A binary outcome variable was created with two levels: "good mental health" and "poor mental health," to assess the mental health status of the university students. The explanatory variables were age, gender, academic year, type of university, and sources of personal expenses. Exploratory data analysis, association tests, and binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors influencing the outcome variable.

Results

A total of 55.9% of students (male: 52.6% and female: 62.8%) exhibited poor mental health status. Female students' mental health was found to be worse (odds ratio [OR]: 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-1.81) compared to that of males. Similarly, public university students displayed a worse mental health condition than their counterparts in private universities (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.61).

Conclusion

The overall mental health of university students in Bangladesh is concerning. There is a pressing need for effective mental health policies and interventions to bolster the mental well-being of university students, with a specific focus on students from public universities and females.

Assessment of perceived dengue risk and prevention practices among youth in Bangladesh

Dengue fever is a global public health concern, especially in countries like Bangladesh. This study examines youth perceived dengue risk, and preventive practices, providing valuable insights into their behavior regarding this mosquito-borne disease. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in various regions of the Dhaka district in Bangladesh. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,358 participants using convenience sampling, spanning the period from September 2 to October 10, 2023. A semi-structured questionnaire covered informed consent, socio-demographic data, and questions about perceived dengue risk scale (12 items), and prevention practice (13 items). Participants' mean age was 22.02 ± 1.58 years. The average scores for perceived dengue risk, and prevention practices were found to be 51.39 ± 12.01 (out of 96), and 55.57 ± 14.55 (out of 104) respectively. Previous dengue history, history of other vector-borne diseases, gender, educational level, father's educational qualification, employment status, adequate sleep duration, father's occupation, etc. are factors associated with higher risk and prevention practices regarding dengue. The research underscores the importance of tailoring prevention strategies for different demographics, raising awareness, and promoting active engagement in preventive measures. These insights are crucial for developing effective public health policies and campaigns to combat dengue.

Societal knowledge, attitude, and practices towards dengue and associated factors in epidemic-hit areas: Geoinformation assisted empirical evidence

Dengue is one of Pakistan's major health concerns. In this study, we aimed to advance our understanding of the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) in Pakistan's Dengue Fever (DF) hotspots. Initially, at-risk communities were systematically identified via a well-known spatial modeling technique, named, Kernel Density Estimation, which was later targeted for a household-based cross-sectional survey of KAPs. To collect data on sociodemographic and KAPs, random sampling was utilized (n = 385, 5 % margin of error). Later, the association of different demographics (characteristics), knowledge, and attitude factors-potentially related to poor preventive practices was assessed using bivariate (individual) and multivariable (model) logistic regression analyses. Most respondents (>90 %) identified fever as a sign of DF; headache (73.8 %), joint pain (64.4 %), muscular pain (50.9 %), pain behind the eyes (41.8 %), bleeding (34.3 %), and skin rash (36.1 %) were identified relatively less. Regression results showed significant associations of poor knowledge/attitude with poor preventive practices; dengue vector (odds ratio [OR] = 3.733, 95 % confidence interval [CI ] = 2.377-5.861; P < 0.001), DF symptoms (OR = 3.088, 95 % CI = 1.949-4.894; P < 0.001), dengue transmission (OR = 1.933, 95 % CI = 1.265-2.956; P = 0.002), and attitude (OR = 3.813, 95 % CI = 1.548-9.395; P = 0.004). Moreover, education level was stronger in bivariate analysis and the strongest independent factor of poor preventive practices in multivariable analysis (illiterate: adjusted OR = 6.833, 95 % CI = 2.979-15.672; P < 0.001) and primary education (adjusted OR = 4.046, 95 % CI = 1.997-8.199; P < 0.001). This situation highlights knowledge gaps within urban communities, particularly in understanding dengue transmission and signs/symptoms. The level of education in urban communities also plays a substantial role in dengue control, as observed in this study, where poor preventive practices were more prevalent among illiterate and less educated respondents.

Public knowledge, belief, and preventive practices regarding dengue: Findings from a community-based survey in rural Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Dengue fever, the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral infection, is a recurrent public health threat in Bangladesh. Despite the government's efforts, dengue outbreaks are on the upswing, and people's knowledge, belief, and preventive practices regarding the disease at the rural community level are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, belief and preventive practices regarding dengue and associated factors among community people from rural Bangladesh.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 401 people using a convenient sampling technique from three unions of Savar from August to September 2021. Participants' responses were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire that included information related to socio-demographics, dengue-related knowledge, preventive practices, and the health belief model (HBM) constructs. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with the knowledge and preventive practices of dengue.

RESULTS

Overall, participants (mean age = 33.47 ± 12.96 years; age range = 18-75 years) correctly answered 66.15% of the knowledge questions regarding dengue. Higher education, travel to dengue-risk regions, and self-efficacy under the HBM construct were all shown to be strongly associated with dengue knowledge. Regarding HBM constructs, about 80% of the participants perceived dengue as dangerous, but less than half (41.4%) believed themselves susceptible to dengue. Considering perceived barriers, 73.07% of the participants believed their residential area was not suitable for Aedes mosquito breeding. Nearly all (93.52%) believed they always kept their surrounding area clean as part of self-efficacy. Moreover, on average participants engaged in 53.69% of all dengue preventive practices. Being older, female, having a higher education, being a service holder, having a good quality of house structure, and perceived susceptibility as well as self-efficacy under the HBM construct were all factors in participants' dengue prevention activities. Participants' dengue preventative practices were shown to be significantly influenced by their knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study found a moderate level of knowledge regarding dengue among the participants. Regarding dengue prevention, although participants scored highly in several indicators, the overall preventive practices were not satisfactory. This suggests that there is a pressing need for expanded education outreach aimed at increasing public awareness of dengue and encourage preventive practices within rural communities in Bangladesh.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers regarding dengue fever in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran

Background

Dengue fever is a rapidly emerging infection worldwide with a high public health burden. Adequate training of healthcare workers is essential to warrant the timely provision of health services to improve the outcome of dengue management.

Methods

This is an analytical cross-sectional study, conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of healthcare workers regarding dengue from April 2021 to March 2022 in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Data was collected using a researcher-made structured questionnaire, prepared as Google Forms, and sent to target groups through social media and email. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 22 software using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square) at a significant level of 5%.

Results

Most of the respondents had heard about dengue (83.8%); media (32.7%) and academic education (25%) were the main sources of information. Respondents had less knowledge associated with dengue symptoms (52%) than prevention and control (69%), transmission (72.2%) and clinical management (81%). Based on the 70% cut-off point, the majority of the participants had a good attitude (81%) and practice (73%). However, only 49.6% of the respondents showed good practice regarding dengue local transmission. A significant difference was observed between participants knowledge on clinical management with occupation; attitude with gender and occupation; and practice with gender (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this study revealed gaps in some dimensions of KAP in healthcare workers, therefore, a greater focus should be placed on future training programs to raise knowledge and attitude leading to sound practice and behavior for adequate management of dengue.

Dengue-Related Information Needs and Information-Seeking Behavior in Pakistan

This present study aims to examine the information needs and information-seeking behavior of Dengue-affected and non-affected people by exploring their information needs, resources used, and obstacles encountered. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 100 Dengue patients and 200 non-patients. The collected data were analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that a majority of the respondents had information needs regarding nutritional options, best approaches to treatment, and expected benefits of treatment. They mostly sought information to keep themselves up-to-date and to prevent the disease. Television, Internet search engines, and social media outlets were frequently used information sources along with information-seeking from family and friends. Respondents with higher academic qualifications reported comparatively higher Dengue-related information needs. Moreover, age was a positive predictor of both their information needs and frequency of using health information sources. The findings will be helpful for healthcare providers to tailor Dengue awareness campaigns and prevention strategies according to the public needs and preferences.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Finnish Dairy Farmers on Cryptosporidiosis

Calf-mediated zoonotic cryptosporidiosis is an emerging occupational health risk among Finnish dairy farmers. We studied farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding cryptosporidiosis to reveal possible weaknesses, which might increase the risk of zoonotic infection. KAP study was carried out as a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (n = 243). A total of 400 cryptosporidiosis-negative and 138 cryptosporidiosis-positive dairy farms, with more than 50 cows, were invited to participate in the study. The response rate was 45%. Half (49%) of the respondents had adequate knowledge concerning zoonotic cryptosporidiosis. Knowledge score was associated with age (p < 0.01), level of education (p < 0.01), and cryptosporidiosis status of the farm (p < 0.01). Though most respondents had favorable attitudes, one-third (32.5%) had poor zoonotic transmission prevention practices. Use of a personal mobile device was the most common risky practice (90%) performed daily in the cowhouse. Most respondents (93%) reported gaining information about infectious diseases in animals from more than two information sources. Veterinarians were the most mentioned source (n = 228), whereas primary care physicians were among the least common sources (n = 16). Having favorable attitudes towards the prevention of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis was common. However, shortages in knowledge and several risky practices were identified in both cryptosporidiosis positive and negative farms. The role of the occupational health sector should be strengthened in work-related zoonotic disease prevention and may require further education of the personnel. A one-health approach to control zoonotic diseases is recommended.

Effectiveness of Dengue Awareness Calendar on Indigenous Population: Impact on Knowledge, Belief and Practice

BACKGROUND

Dengue is prevalent among the indigenous community due to impoverished living conditions near the forest fringe areas and lack of health awareness. The study aims to determine the effect of a dengue awareness calendar on knowledge, belief, and practices (KBP) among the indigenous population.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted in nine selected indigenous villages in Selangor, Malaysia. A dengue awareness calendar was distributed to the indigenous communities after pre-intervention. The KBP scores were compared between the pre-and post-intervention.

RESULT

A total of 609 paired responses were obtained. Knowledge, perceived severity, cues to action, self-efficacy, and prevention practices were significantly improved after the intervention (p > 0.00). Participants with primary (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.627; 95% CI 1.338-5.160) and secondary level education (OR 2.263; 95% Cl 1.126-4.550) reported a high increment in practices score. High increments in dengue knowledge scores (OR 2.190; 95% CI 1.521-3.757, p < 0.00) were significantly more likely to report a high increment in practices score. Housewives (OR 0.535; 95% Cl 0.289-0.950), perceived severity (OR 0.349; 95% CI 0.184-0.662), and perceived susceptibility (OR 0.474; 95% CI 0.286-0.785) were significantly less likely to report an increment in prevention practices score.

CONCLUSION

Findings inferred that the dengue awareness calendar significantly improved knowledge and practices. Our findings revealed the effectiveness of the dengue awareness calendar in dengue prevention among indigenous communities.

Health education impact on knowledge and management of arboviral diseases in Kenya: Evidence from randomised control trials

Communities' knowledge and management strategies are crucial for mitigating and controlling the threat of existing and emerging diseases. In this study, we conducted randomised control trials (RCT) to examine the impact of health education on households' knowledge and management of three Arboviral Diseases (ADs); Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya fever, and Dengue fever in Kenya. The study was based on a sample of 629 households drawn from the three of Kenya's AD hotspot counties; Baringo, Kwale, and Kilifi. Employing a difference-in-difference method, our findings indicate that health education intervention significantly improved households' understanding of ADs transmission modes, causes, and prevention strategies. However, this intervention did not sufficiently influence households' disease management behaviour. We recommend the implementation of community engagement and outreach initiatives which have the potential to drive behavioural changes at the household level, thus enhancing the management and control of ADs in Kenya.

Factors influencing the knowledge, attitude, and practices of police personnel toward dengue fever in Kathmandu, Nepal

OBJECTIVE

Dengue fever is a significant public health problem in Nepal, and police personnel are considered to play a crucial role in preventing and controlling dengue fever. This study aimed to assess the factors that influence the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of police personnel toward dengue in Kathmandu, Nepal.

METHODS

The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 422 police personnel, where data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Bi-variate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and environmental factors with knowledge, attitude, and practices of dengue.

RESULTS

The study found that the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward dengue prevention was 58%, 46%, and 75%, respectively. The study found that family history of dengue (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.38-5.6), owning bed nets (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.04-4.35) and having covered water storage containers (AOR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.74-5.13) were associated with higher odds of knowledge on dengue. Having family history of dengue (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.24-4.87) and the presence of broken glasses or discarded plastic bottles in the house (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.93-5.36) were associated with attitude on dengue. Knowledge on dengue was associated with higher odds of attitude (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 2.09-5.36) and practices (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI = 1.93, 5.36).

CONCLUSION

The study identified specific factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practices toward dengue prevention. The study concluded that regular training and awareness-raising activities are needed to improve their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward dengue.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of the community toward dengue fever in Shabwah Governorate, Yemen: a descriptive study

BACKGROUND

In Yemen, dengue fever (DF) is a widespread, locally endemic infectious disease, with high morbidity and mortality which mainly affects impoverished regions. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the Shabwah community in Yemen regarding DF characteristics and prevention.

METHODS

The present study is a cross-sectional community-based study conducted in Shabwah Governorate, Yemen, between June 2021 and November 2021. Simple random sampling was used to select the sample (n = 370), and a validated closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data.

RESULTS

In total, 370 individuals participated in this study; most respondents were female (N = 247, 66.8%), and more than half (N = 214, 57.8%) were younger than age 30. More than 50% of the population had completed a primary or secondary school, while approximately 33.03% of them were illiterate. Furthermore, more than half (53.5%) of the population had good knowledge of DF, while most of those educated at a university level (64.1%) had good attitude toward DF. Most of the population (68.4%) had good practice toward DF. Moreover, participants with a university level education, followed by those who completed secondary school, had significantly higher knowledge and practice scores than primary school and illiteracy (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of the study indicate that the residents of Yemen's Shabwah Governorate are well-informed about the symptoms and signs of DF, have a positive attitude toward the disease, and employ appropriate preventive measures. Health education via various media should be mandated to increase community awareness and dispel misconceptions about DF.

Influence of public hesitancy and receptivity on reactive behaviours towards releases of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes for dengue control

Singapore, a highly urbanized Asian tropical country that experiences periodic dengue outbreaks, is piloting field releases of male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with the aim of suppressing urban populations of the primary dengue vector Aedes aegypti. This study proposes and assesses a model to explain the roles of hesitancy and receptivity towards Project Wolbachia–Singapore in influencing reactive mosquito prevention behaviors (reactive behaviors) towards the release of Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes for residents living in the release sites. Interestingly, both hesitancy and receptivity predicted greater instances of reactive behaviors. The model also examines the roles of general knowledge about Wolbachia technology, perceived severity of mosquito bites, perceived density of mosquitoes, and social responsibility as predictors of hesitancy, receptivity, and reactive behaviors towards the release of Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes. Hesitancy towards the project mediated the effects of general knowledge, perceived severity of mosquito bites, and perceived density of mosquitoes on reactive behaviors towards the releases, although receptivity towards the project did not. Having less knowledge about Project Wolbachia–Singapore was associated with higher hesitancy towards the project and higher likelihood of performing reactive behaviors towards the releases. Individuals who perceive mosquito bites to be more severe and think that there are more mosquitoes in their living environments were also more likely to be hesitant about the project and practice reactive behaviors. However, both hesitancy and receptivity towards the project mediated the effect of social responsibility on reactive behaviors. Receptivity towards the project was driven by social responsibility, which was also associated with reduced hesitancy towards the project. Our findings suggest that, to address the hesitancy reported by a minority of participants, future outreach efforts should focus on strengthening the public’s sense of social responsibility and on tailored education campaigns targeting groups with low levels of knowledge of the project.

The incidence of dengue, a serious mosquito-borne disease, has escalated globally in recent decades. Prevention is critical for reducing the incidence of dengue, and one way of doing so is by controlling the vector population. Singapore has been piloting the use of field releases of male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes mosquitoes to suppress the vector Aedes mosquito population (Project Wolbachia–Singapore), but the public’s perception and social impact of this community-based method is not well understood. To address this gap, this study sought to identify and explain the drivers and outcomes of the public’s perceptions towards Project Wolbachia–Singapore. Findings reveal that different combinations of individual characteristics predict for receptivity towards Project Wolbachia–Singapore, hesitancy towards Project Wolbachia–Singapore, and the tendency to behave reactively to the release of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes mosquitoes. These findings also suggest ways of increasing receptivity and reducing hesitancy towards such community-based prevention efforts, which can in turn help to ensure the success of such projects.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of dengue prevention between dengue sustained hotspots and non-sustained hotspots in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

Dengue sustained hotspots (SHS) have resulted in a significant public health burden. In our study, we aimed to (1) compare knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) scores between SHS and non-sustained hotspots (NSHS); and (2) identify and describe gaps and factors associated with KAP of dengue prevention among SHS residents residing in Singapore. A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was conducted using digital survey in randomly selected SHS and NSHS residential areas, consisting of residents aged 21 or older and who had been residing in their existing housing unit in 2019 and 2020. Chi-square test and T-test were used for comparison analysis of categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A total of 466 respondents completed the self-administered, anonymous survey. There were no significant difference in mean scores for Knowledge [SHS(24.66) vs. NSHS(24.37); P: 0.18], Attitudes [SHS(10.38) vs NSHS(10.16); P: 0.08] and Practices [SHS(9.27) vs NSHS(8.80); P: 0.16] sections. Significant SHS-associated factors identified were age group 41-50 years old [95%CI: 1.25-5.03], Malay (95%CI: 0.17-0.98), up to secondary school education (95%CI: 0.07-0.65), private condominium (95%CI: 1.17-3.39), residing in same household unit for 2-5 years (95%CI: 2.44-6.88), respondents who know that mosquito can breed in open container with stagnant water (95%CI: 0.06-0.98), disagree that reducing Aedes mosquitoes is the only way to prevent dengue: (95%CI: 1.19-3.00) and go to clinic/hospital even without severe symptoms: (95%CI: 0.39-0.95). These independent factors associated with dengue sustained hotspots may influence the risk of dengue transmission in residential areas.

Mental health knowledge and awareness among university students in Bangladesh

Negative attitudes toward mental illness and treatment are attributed to a lack of or inaccurate mental health knowledge. We aimed to assess the current mental health knowledge and awareness among Bangladeshi university students and identified socio-demographic factors that affect them. Between February and April of 2021, a cross-sectional study of 2036 university students in Bangladesh was conducted. Two different questionnaires (i.e., knowledge and awareness) were developed to assess mental health knowledge and awareness. The two outcome variables in this study were mental health knowledge level and awareness level. The cut-off value was taken as 80% of the total scores of both the knowledge and awareness scales and divided into higher and lower groups. Data were analyzed using different descriptive statistical tools and binary logistic regression model. We found more than half (62.1%) of the students had higher knowledge, and 85.1% of the students had a higher awareness of mental health problems. Female students (OR 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–1.72) and students managing their expenses by personal income and family support were significantly positively associated with the high knowledge of the mental health (OR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.40–2.29). Similarly, age (OR 1.47, 95% CI: 1.01–2.14) was significantly associated with high awareness. Good mental health was significantly negatively associated with the high knowledge (OR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.6–0.87) and positively associated with the high awareness (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15–1.91). Although mental health awareness is high among Bangladeshi university students, knowledge of mental health is insufficient. As a result, it is essential to comprehend the gaps in knowledge and awareness of mental health disorders, as well as how they are addressed.

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding diabetes and hypertension among school students of Nepal: A rural vs. urban study

Background

The burden of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension is increasing worldwide including low-and middle-income countries. Good knowledge of such diseases among young people will make them adopt a healthy lifestyle from an early age, which will, in turn, prevent them from developing such non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of rural and urban school students regarding diabetes and hypertension. We also aimed to see the differences in the knowledge, attitude, and practice of students from rural vs. urban communities.

Methods

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 2021 to June 30, 2021, in four schools in Nepal (1 from a metropolitan city, 2 from an urban municipality, and 1 from a rural municipality). The study was conducted among the secondary-level students of classes 9 and 10 in each school. The data were collected from the participants via pre-tested questionnaires and analyzed in the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the determinants of knowledge and attitude regarding diabetes and hypertension.

Results

Of 380 respondents, 35.5% were residents of metropolitan city, 37.4% were from the urban municipality and 27.1% were from the rural municipality. The mean age of respondents was 15.61±0.99 years and 51.1% were male. Respondents having a family history of diabetes and hypertension were 21.1% and 37.9% respectively. Respondents from the metropolitan city had significantly higher mean knowledge scores than the respondents from the urban and rural municipality (p<0.001) while there was no significant difference in mean attitude scores. There was significantly higher daily consumption of fruits and vegetables among the participants from rural municipality (p<0.01) while no significant difference was seen in salt consumption and time spent on physical activity. In univariate regression analysis, place of residence, family occupation, parental education, and family history of diabetes and hypertension were significantly associated with good knowledge level. In multivariate analysis, only a higher grade of study (grade 10 in comparison to grade 9) was an independent predictor of a student’s good attitude level.

Conclusion

In general, there was a good attitude towards diabetes and hypertension despite poor knowledge. The mean knowledge scores were lower in urban municipality and rural municipality compared to metropolitan city. Low knowledge scores on diabetes and hypertension among the students show an urgent need for school-based interventional programs focusing on non-communicable diseases and lifestyle modification with more emphasis on rural communities.

Dengue Fever Responses in Dhaka City, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objectives: This study intends to evaluate the Dhaka city residents’ individual views toward DF.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey used google forms for collecting data. Python and RStudio were used for data management and analysis. Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression models were performed, where appropriate.

Results: In total 1008 individuals participated in a pre-tested KAP survey. More than 20% reported being affected by DF before the survey, where they rated their current places as being moderately safe (43%). In terms of DF control, 65% had good knowledge, and 68% reported good practice, whereas they demonstrated an overall good attitude. The increased knowledge of individuals could contribute to behavioral changes regarding DF. Female residents demonstrated better DF attitudes (OR: 0.69; p &lt; 0.05) and practices (OR: 0.66; p &lt; 0.01) compared to male residents. Mixed unit residents had poor KAP levels. Educational attainment can also play an essential role in enhancing the attitude level.

Conclusion: Overall, dengue surveillance activities with sufficient campaigns are required for behavioral change in Dhaka city. This information could be integrated into other DF-affected countries’ strategies against dengue outbreaks.

A cross-sectional study to assess the epidemiological situation and associated risk factors of dengue fever; knowledge, attitudes, and practices about dengue prevention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

Background

Dengue fever has been responsible for around 12 countrywide large outbreaks in Pakistan, resulting in 286,262 morbidities and 1,108 deaths. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is the most recently impacted province. This study aimed to investigate the molecular, epidemiological, and potential elements that contribute to increasing dengue transmission patterns, and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward dengue in KP province.

Method

This cross-sectional community-based study was conducted (June-December, 2021) in two phases. Phase I involved the epidemiological (n = 5,242) and molecular analysis of DENV in 500 randomly collected blood samples of the 2021 dengue outbreak in KP. Phase II focused on assessing dengue-KAP levels in healthy communities (n = 14,745, aged >18 years), adopting a cross-sectional clustered multistage sampling in eight districts (dengue-hotspot vs. non-hotspot) of KP. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were applied.

Results

Peshawar district had the highest dengue cases (60.0%) associated with the predominant co-circulation of DENV-2 (45.8%) and DENV-3 (50.4%) serotypes. A rise in cases was reported in October (41.8%) followed by September (27.9%) and August (14.4%; p < 0.001). Males (63.7%, p < 0.001) and individuals aged 16–30 years (37.0%, p < 0.001) were highly affected. General workers (18.0%), families with a monthly income of 10,000–20,000 Pak rupees (50.5%), unmarried (71.0%), uneducated (31%), families with higher human density (>10 individuals per household), and those (29.0%) who faced power outages for more than 7/24 h were the most affected. Moreover, co-morbidities like renal failure and bronchial asthma were associated with disease severity. A community survey on KAP revealed that an average of 74, 60, and 43% of the participants demonstrated good knowledge, attitudes, and dengue preventive practices, respectively.

Conclusion

Multiple poor socioeconomic elements are influencing dengue fever transmission in the province. Higher KAP levels may explain the low frequency of dengue in non-hotspot districts. Our study emphasizes the need for effective and long-term public health education, strengthened vector surveillance, and expanded laboratory capacity for better diagnosis and management of dengue cases to better predict the burden and seasonality of disease in the country.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Relation to Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Bangladesh

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya are common in Bangladesh, with frequent outbreaks in the rainy season. Analysis of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people toward any crisis is fundamental to addressing any gap. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional study mainly focusing on the northern, southern and central parts of Bangladesh to understand the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people regarding MBDs, mosquito habitats, or control measures. A total of 1720 participants were involved in the study from 33 out of 64 districts of Bangladesh, of which 56.9% were male. While most of them knew about dengue (97.1%), chikungunya (81.4%), and malaria (85.2%), only half of them were aware of filaria (53.3%), which is endemic to the northern region. A knowledge score (0−8, low), (9−16, moderate), (17−24, high), and attitude score (0−4, poor), (5−8, moderate), and (9−13, high) were assigned. While poor and moderate attitudes were considered negative, good attitudes were considered positive. About 45% of the respondents had a moderate knowledge score (50−70); however, about 67.9% of participants showed a good attitude score (>70) towards the control of MBDs. It was found that the knowledge and attitude of the responders were related to their profession (knowledge p < 0.001; attitude, p = 0.002), residential area (knowledge p < 0.001; attitude, p < 0.001), and education level (knowledge p < 0.001; attitude p = 0.004). A mosquito is a kind of nuisance bug, and about 79.8% of responders admitted that they kill mosquitoes as soon as they notice them. They also use bed nets (93.7%) followed by mosquito coils (85.7%) as a preventive method. Interestingly, 73.2% of the responders were reluctant to contact the local government during an increase in mosquito numbers. Overall, the people of Bangladesh have a positive attitude towards the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases. It is highly recommended that the government creates more knowledge regarding this issue and develops collaborative approaches with local people to implement robust preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases.

Knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccine among university students of Bangladesh

Global vaccination coverage is an urgent need to recover the recent pandemic COVID-19. However, people are concerned about the safety and efficacy of this vaccination program. Thus, it has become crucial to examine the knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy towards the vaccine. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among university students of Bangladesh. Total of 449 university students participated. Most of these students used the internet (34.74%), social media (33.41%), and electronic media (25.61%) as a source of COVID-19 vaccine information. Overall, 58.13% and 64.81% of university students reported positive knowledge and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. 54.34% of these students agreed that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. 43.88% believed that the vaccine could stop the pandemic. The Spearman’s Rank correlation determined the positive correlation between knowledge and attitude. The negative correlation was determined between positive knowledge and hesitancy, and positive attitude and hesitancy. University students with positive knowledge and attitude showed lower hesitancy. Multiple logistic regression analyses determined the university type and degree major as the predictors of knowledge, whereas only degree major was the predictor of attitudes. 26.06% of the study population showed their hesitancy towards the vaccine. University type and degree major were also determined as predictors of this hesitancy. They rated fear of side effects (87.18%) and lack of information (70.94%) as the most reasons for the hesitancy. The findings from this study can aid the ongoing and future COVID-19 vaccination plan for university students. The national and international authorities can have substantial information for a successful inoculation campaign.

Knowledge of hepatitis B among healthy population in community

Hepatitis B is the world’s most common blood‑borne viral infection, accounting for 2 billion infections, 350 million carriers, and 6 lakh deaths annually. Aim of the paper is to determine the level of knowledge among healthy population in North Macedonia regarding Hepatitis B virus infection. Material and methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional study was undertaken. Questionnaire was administered to 600 healthy individuals, who heard about hepatitis B. Data handled and analyzed by using statistical package SPSS. Results: The profile of those who give the correct answer regarding the cause of hepatitis B that it is a virus are women (65.3%), aged 40 to 49 (42.8%), by nationality are Macedonian, have higher education (52.8%), 92.8% live in urban areas, 74.3% are married, employed (79.2%) and have a moderate monthly income (68.9). About one‑third of the sample said that loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting also associated with hepatitis B. There is a significant difference in knowledge related to early (prodromal) (symptoms such as cold and flu - fever, runny nose, cough) symptoms of hepatitis infection. Only 17.7% give the correct answer that they register, and 81.7% do not. Jaundice is one of the common symptoms of hepatitis, 32.2% give the correct answer, and 25.8% of the symptoms that are present and common are nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Conclusions: Important knowledge deficits about the routes of hepatitis B transmission/prevention were identified. Continued efforts should be made to develop and implement hepatitis B educational campaigns/health promotion for these communities.

Treatment-Seeking Behaviors and Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Suspected Dengue Adult Patients at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, Thailand

Dengue infection is a major public health problem in Thailand with an increasing incidence in the adult population. Patients’ knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) with regarding dengue infection have direct influences on treatment-seeking behaviors and clinical outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the KAP and treatment-seeking behaviors of suspected dengue adult patients attending the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Bangkok, from March 2014 to February 2015. Among 167 participants, the majority of participants (87.9%) were unaware of dengue infection and most of them reported initial self-medication (95.2%). The mean days of fever before attending to the HTD was 4.9 ± 1.7 days. Outpatient cases reported seeking care significantly earlier than inpatient cases (mean: 3.1 days vs. 5.0 days; p < 0.001). The majority of patients believed that dengue infection has a high mortality rate (63%) and must be treated in hospital (91.3%), highlighting the lack of understanding and misperceptions regarding dengue-related knowledge in the general population. Patients who reported recent or current dengue infection in their family or neighborhood sought medical care early and reported good preventive practices. Health education should focus on the adult population to improve awareness of dengue symptoms and promote early treatment-seeking behavior.

The knowledge, attitude and practice of community people on dengue fever in Central Nepal: a cross-sectional study

Background

Since 2006, Nepal has experienced frequent Dengue fever (DF) outbreaks. Up to now, there have been no knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies carried out on DF in Nepal that have included qualitative in-depth and quantitative data. Thus, we aimed to explore and compare the KAP of people residing in the lowland (< 1500 m) and highland (> 1500 m) areas of Nepal.

Methods

A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted in six districts of central Nepal in September–October 2018 including both quantitative (660 household surveys) and qualitative data (12 focus group discussions and 27 in-depth interviews). The KAP assessment was executed using a scoring system and defined as high or low based on 80% cut-off point. Logistic regression was used to investigate the associated factors, in quantitative analysis. The deductive followed by inductive approach was adopted to identify the themes in the qualitative data.

Results

The study revealed that both the awareness about DF and prevention measures were low. Among the surveyed participants, 40.6% had previously heard about DF with a significantly higher number in the lowland areas. Similarly, IDI and FGD participants from the lowland areas were aware about DF, and it’s associated symptoms, hence they were adopting better preventive practices against DF. The findings of both the qualitative and quantitative data indicate that people residing in the lowland areas had better knowledge on DF compared to people in highland areas. All IDI participants perceived a higher chance of increasing future dengue outbreaks due to increasing temperature and the mobility of infected people from endemic to non-endemic areas. The most quoted sources of information were the television (71.8%) and radio (51.5%). Overall, only 2.3% of the HHS participants obtained high knowledge scores, 74.1% obtained high attitude scores and 21.2% obtained high preventive practice scores on DF. Among the socio-demographic variables, the area of residence, educational level, age, monthly income, SES and occupation were independent predictors of knowledge level, while the education level of the participants was an independent predictor of the attitude level.

Conclusions

Our study found a very low level of knowledge and insufficient preventive practices. This highlights an urgent need for extensive dengue prevention programs in both highland and lowland communities of Nepal.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07404-4.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Dengue Fever among University Students of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Dhaka has become the worst affected city in Bangladesh regarding dengue fever (DF). A large number of university students are residing in this city with a high DF risk. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the DF status and responses among these students through their Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) survey. A total of 625 students participated in an online self-reported survey. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the status and KAP regarding DF. University students from the city perceived their living places as moderately safe (45.28%) against DF, whereas about 20% reported their DF infection history. Some of these students had exemplary DF knowledge (66.72%), attitude (89.28%), and practices (68.32%). However, many of them were also observed with a lack of knowledge about this disease’s infectious behavior, recognizing Aedes mosquito breeding sites, multiple infection cases, and the risk of DF viral infection during pregnancy. Fair correlations (p < 0.001) were determined in the KAP domain. Gender, residential unit, major, and dengue-relevant subjects were found to be significant predictors (p < 0.05) of KAP level in the univariate analysis. Major subject and residential units remained significant predictors of overall KAP level in further multiple analysis. This study revealed the urgency of infectious disease-related subjects and the relevant demonstration into the university curriculum. The study’s findings can assist the university, government and non-governmental organizations, and the health and social workers to prepare a comprehensive dengue response and preparedness plan.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Lightning in Bangladesh

Despite the significant number of fatalities and injuries, there is currently a lack of data on public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding lightning in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards lightning in the country. A total of 1641 individuals participated in an online KAP survey. Where appropriate, the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and logistic regression models were performed. About 65% of the survey population reported frequent lightning; most (72.64%) did not receive any warning messages, and small proportions (22.12%) had lightning safety precautions. Individuals with numerous lightning experiences perceived considerably unsafe places against lightning compared to infrequent lightning experiences (p < 0.05). Respondents reported good knowledge (56.06%), positive attitudes (82.27%), and good preventive practices (72.33%). The logistic regression demonstrated that having good knowledge and positive attitudes can help people practice lightning safety. Females demonstrated better lightning attitudes and practices compared to males. In comparison to urban residents, rural residents had poor practices. In addition, individuals’ educational levels might also play a crucial role in preparing them for lightning. Overall, extensive lightning campaign activities combined with effective education are required for the behavioral changes in this lightning-vulnerable society.

Education based on the health belief model to improve the level of physical activity

[Purpose]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of education based on the health belief model on the physical activity of the staff of the University of Medical Sciences.

[Methods]

This semi-experimental study was conducted on 130 university staff aged 25-50 years from the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Inclusion criteria were having at least 1 year of work experience, lack of acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses, and not using drugs that affect physical activity. The samples were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received three training sessions based on the health belief model. Before and 2 months after training, the control and experimental groups were evaluated via the following questionnaires: (1) demographic information questionnaire, (2) Health Belief Model Questionnaire, and (3) International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Finally, data were analyzed statistically.

[Results]

The training process resulted in a significant increase in the mean scores of the health belief model constructs in the experimental group, but changes in the control group were not significant. Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of physical activity.

[Conclusion]

The health belief model is a useful model for improving individuals' understanding of the benefits of physical activity.

A cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward dengue fever among health workers in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto state, Nigeria

Introduction:

Dengue fever (DF) has become a disease of public health concern. It is a mosquito-borne virus infection caused by one of the four serotypes of the dengue virus, and the disease is prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with a global burden in the Americas. Yearly, about 390 million cases of new infection are estimated to occur.

Aims of the Study:

This study was aimed atdetermining the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding dengue fever amongst health workers in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto state , Nigeria.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, among 367 health-care workers who had worked in the hospital for at least 1 year before the study were selected using a systematic sampling method. Data were collected by trained resident doctors using a standardized, pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20 with a significance set at P > 0.05.

Results:

There was high awareness (95.1%) among the respondents, with seminars and lectures in school as the most familiar information sources. A more significant proportion, 87.8%, 93.2%, and 76.6%, of the respondents had adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate DF practice, respectively. Nurses and laboratory scientists had higher practice scores compared to other health-care workers (P = 0.016).

Conclusion:

Capacity building of health-care workers, especially the primary care physicians on surveillance, proper diagnosis, and treatment, is needed to avoid missing cases or misdiagnosis of cases, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries with limited health resources care service delivery.

Taylor-Robinson A, Wu YS, Aung YN, Low WY, Sim MS, Sekaran SD, Azizan N. Different domains of dengue research in the Philippines: A systematic review and meta-analysis of questionnaire-based studies

Background

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease of humans worldwide, including southeast Asia region. This review provides a comprehensive overview of questionnaire-related dengue studies conducted in the Philippines and evaluates their reliability and validity in these surveys.

Methods

A review protocol constructed by a panel of experienced academic reviewers was used to formulate the methodology, research design, search strategy and selection criteria. An extensive literature search was conducted between March–June 2020 in various major electronic biomedical databases including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and ScienceDirect. A systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) were selected as the preferred item reporting method.

Results

Out of a total of 34 peer-reviewed dengue-related KAP studies that were identified, 15 published from 2000 to April 2020 met the inclusion criteria. Based on the meta-analysis, a poor mean score was obtained for each of knowledge (68.89), attitude (49.86) and preventive practice (64.69). Most respondents were equipped with a good knowledge of the major clinical signs of dengue. Worryingly, 95% of respondents showed several negative attitudes towards dengue prevention, claiming that this was not possible and that enacting preventive practices was not their responsibility. Interestingly, television or radio was claimed as the main source of gaining dengue information (range 50–95%). Lastly, only five articles (33.3%) piloted or pretested their questionnaire before surveying, of which three reported Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (range 0.70 to 0.90).

Conclusion

This review indicates that to combat the growing public health threat of dengue to the Philippines, we need the active participation of resident communities, full engagement of healthcare personnel, promotion of awareness campaigns, and access to safe complementary and alternative medicines. Importantly, the psychometric properties of each questionnaire should be assessed rigorously.

Status and perception toward the COVID-19 vaccine: A cross-sectional online survey among adult population of Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 has become a global public health concern. Safe and effective vaccines are required to control the pandemic. However, positive perception toward the vaccine is also necessary for a successful vaccination effort.

OBJECTIVE

A rapid online survey was conducted to evaluate the status and perception toward the newly administered COVID-19 vaccine among the adult population (18 years and above) of Bangladesh.

METHODS

A total of 850 adult people participated. χ 2 or Fisher's exact test was performed to determine the association between the first dose of vaccination and sociodemographic information. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to examine the predictors of knowledge, attitude, and hesitation toward the vaccine.

RESULTS

Exactly 24.12% of the study population received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, whereas 30.23% expressed hesitation about pursuing the vaccine. Older age groups (>70%), married people (49.62%), capital Dhaka city outsiders (32.76%), and high-income groups (>50%) received the vaccine much higher than their counter group. Age, marital status, educational attainment, monthly income, and prior COVID-19 positive status were all significantly associated with the knowledge regarding the vaccine. Only age (>55 years age group = aOR: 4.10; 95% CI: 1.30, 14.31) and level of knowledge (poor knowledge = aOR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.23) were significant determinants of attitudes. In case of hesitation, age group and monthly income were found as significant determinants. Fear of adverse consequences (86.67%) was the most common reason for hesitation, followed by insufficient information (73.85%).

CONCLUSION

This study sought to determine the status and perception of the newly administered COVID-19 vaccine to aid in the current inoculation campaign's effectiveness. Collaboration between academics, government officials, and communities is essential in developing a successful COVID-19 vaccination program for the entire population. The authority should develop effective strategies to ensure the implementation of its policy of widespread COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

Admitted Cases of Dengue Fever among Dengue Positive Cases in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, is one of the emerging tropical diseases that appear primarily in rainy seasons. The number of dengue cases was increased in recent years in Nepal. Chitwan is one of the risky areas of dengue. This aim of the study is to find out the prevalence of hospital admission among the dengue positive cases.

METHODS

The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 323 serologically confirmed dengue fever positive patient admitted in Medicine Inpatients Department of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number. 076/077-121 dated August 30, 2019). Data were collected from 1st September 2019 to 31st December 2019 using a structured interview schedule and record review. Convenience sampling was done. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated, with frequency and percentage.

RESULTS

Among 1206 patient with dengue fever, 323 (26.78%) (24.29-29.27 at 95% confidence Interval) were admitted in the tertiary care hospital. Study findings revealed that out of 323 admitted patients with dengue fever, 182 (56.3%) patients were between 20-40 years of age and 179 (55.4%) were males. The highest number of patients were admitted in the months of September 192 (59.4%) and October 101 (31.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Admission rate among dengue positive cases are comparable to other studies of the similar settings. Dengue fever is common among community people especially in young adult and males. Hence, screening of dengue fever in febrile illness is necessary for the early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Community awareness and experiences of health workers concerning mosquito-borne viral diseases in selected districts of Gambella Region, Southwestern Ethiopia

In this study, we assessed community awareness and experiences of health workers about mosquito-borne viral diseases in selected districts of the Gambella Region, South Western Ethiopia. A community and health facility-based qualitative study involving 11 focus group discussions (FGDs) with community dmembers and two FGDs with health workers was conducted between November 2017 to January 2018. A total of 122 community members and 16 health workers participated in the study. All the discussants mentioned malaria, typhoid fever, unknown causes of diarrhea and skin diseases as the major public health problems in the area. Using pictures of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, participants confirmed that both mosquitoes are present in the area. They identified Anopheles as the vector of malaria. However, community discussants could not mention the name of a disease that can be transmitted by Aedes mosquito though they mentioned that Aedes mosquito bites both humans and animals during the day time in forest areas and causes skin itching to humans. Meanwhile, community participants from Pakag, a village bordering South Sudan, expressed concern that Aedes mosquito can cause a malaria-like disease which can kill within a few days. Health workers from Itang health center described that in 2016, an outbreak of an unknown disease that causes fever and jaundice occurred and killed seven individuals in a village called Akula, which is closer to a South Sudan refugee camp. Overall, the findings showed that community members and health workers in the area do not have adequate information on mosquito-borne viral diseases. Creating awareness, improving laboratory services and further epidemiological studies would be important for early warning and preparedness for outbreaks in the area.

Evaluating livestock farmers knowledge, beliefs, and management of arboviral diseases in Kenya: A multivariate fractional probit approach

Globally, arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) infections continue to pose substantial threats to public health and economic development, especially in developing countries. In Kenya, although arboviral diseases (ADs) are largely endemic, little is known about the factors influencing livestock farmers’ knowledge, beliefs, and management (KBM) of the three major ADs: Rift Valley fever (RVF), dengue fever and chikungunya fever. This study evaluates the drivers of livestock farmers’ KBM of ADs from a sample of 629 respondents selected using a three-stage sampling procedure in Kenya’s three hotspot counties of Baringo, Kwale, and Kilifi. A multivariate fractional probit model was used to assess the factors influencing the intensity of KBM. Only a quarter of the farmers had any knowledge of ADs while over four-fifths of them could not manage any of the three diseases. Access to information (experience and awareness), income, education, religion, and distance to a health facility considerably influenced the intensity of farmers’ KBM of ADs in Kenya. Thus, initiatives geared towards improving access to information through massive awareness campaigns are necessary to mitigate behavioral barriers in ADs management among rural communities in Kenya.

Arboviral infection in humans and animals is on the rise globally due to expansion of vector habitats. Despite the economic and social impact of diseases caused by arboviral infection such as chikungunya, dengue, and Rift Valley fever, little is known in terms of community knowledge, beliefs, and management. Evaluating community knowledge, beliefs, and management practices of arboviral diseases is important for better policy guidance and public health investment. We conducted a survey in Kenya’s three hotspot counties of Baringo, Kwale, and Kilifi to understand the factors influencing knowledge, beliefs, and management of arboviral diseases. We found low levels of knowledge and poor managerial skills of arboviral diseases that were largely driven by access to information and asset ownership. Thus, community sensitization through improved access to information is important in increasing awareness and increase the management of arboviral diseases among rural communities in Kenya and other sub-Saharan African countries.

Knowledge and actions for the control of the vector Aedes aegypti in a municipality in the Legal Amazon

Infections caused by arboviruses that have mostly impacted the Brazilian morbidity and mortality are caused by the same vector, Aedes aegypti. Preventive actions related to the vector are the most effective strategies in the prevention and control of these diseases. This study aimed to associate the knowledge on the vector that transmits dengue, Zika and chikungunya with the sociodemographic and behavioral preventive practices towards Aedes aegypti in the municipality of Tangara da Serra, Mato Grosso State, in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. A probabilistic urban population sampling was obtained by clusters: census sectors and households. The sample size calculation considered 10% of loss and a 1.5 design effect. This is a cross-sectional research carried out through a household survey in February and March 2018. There were 583 participants. The study variables were knowledge on the vector, sociodemographic characteristics and preventive practices related to the vector. The statistical analysis was based on a bivariate analysis and Poisson multiple regressions. Inadequate or insufficient knowledge on the vector Aedes aegypti remained associated with education in the categories illiterate (p<0.001) and 8 years of study or less (p<0.001), in addition to not adopting practices of capping and cleaning the water tank (p=0.002) and not using insecticides at home (p=0.007). It is concluded that there is a need for health communication actions that consider characteristics the population, especially the level of education and previous knowledge on the vector, allowing a dialogical approach and enabling the community participation in preventive practices and control of the vector Aedes aegypti .

Climate change and dengue fever knowledge, attitudes and practices in Bangladesh: a social media-based cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Bangladesh experienced its worst dengue fever (DF) outbreak in 2019. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among university students in Bangladesh and significant factors associated with their prevention practices related to climate change and DF.

METHODS

A social media-based (Facebook) cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted and secondary data of reported DF cases in 2019 extracted. Logistic regression and spatial analysis were run to examine the data.

RESULTS

Of 1500 respondents, 76% believed that climate change can affect DF transmission. However, participants reported good climate change knowledge (76.7%), attitudes (87.9%) and practices (39.1%). The corresponding figures for DF were knowledge (47.9%), attitudes (80.3%) and practices (25.9%). Good knowledge and attitudes were significantly associated with good climate change adaptation or mitigation practices (p<0.05). Good knowledge, attitudes and previous DF experiences were also found to be significantly associated with good DF prevention practices (p<0.001). There was no significant positive correlation between climate change and DF KAP scores and the number of DF cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study provide baseline data that can be used to promote educational campaigns and intervention programs focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation and effective DF prevention strategies among various communities in Bangladesh and similar dengue-endemic countries.

Knowledge, awareness and preventive practices of dengue outbreak in Bangladesh: A countrywide study

Background

Dengue, the mosquito borne disease has become a growing public health threat in Bangladesh due to its gradual increasing morbidity and mortality since 2000. In 2019, the country witnessed the worst ever dengue outbreak. The present study was conducted to characterize the socio-economic factors and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) status towards dengue among the people of Bangladesh.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,010 randomly selected respondents from nine different administrative regions of Bangladesh between July and November 2019.

A structured questionnaire was used covering socio-demographic characteristics of the participants including their knowledge, awareness, treatment and practices regarding dengue fever. Factors associated with the knowledge and awareness of dengue were investigated separately, using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Although majority (93.8%) of the respondents had heard about dengue, however, they had still misconceptions about Aedes breeding habitat. Around half of the study population (45.7%) had mistaken belief that Aedes can breed in dirty water and 43.1% knew that Aedes mosquito usually bites around sunrise and sunset. Fever indication was found in 36.6% of people which is the most common symptom of dengue. Among the socio-demographic variables, the level of education of the respondents was identified as an independent predictor for both knowledge (p<0.05) and awareness (p<0.05) of dengue. The preventive practice level was moderately less than the knowledge level though there was a significant association (p<0.05) existed between knowledge and preventive practices. Our study noted that TV/Radio is an effective predominant source of information about dengue fever.

Conclusion

As dengue is emerging in Bangladesh, there is an urgent need to increase health promotion activities through campaigns for eliminating the misconception and considerable knowledge gaps about dengue.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards dengue prevention among primary school children with and without experience of previous dengue infection in southern Thailand

To develop more effective intervention strategies against dengue, it is necessary to identify determinants of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), which may be influenced by the dengue experiences of the population at risk. The aim of this study was to assess and compare KAP regarding dengue prevention between Thai primary school children with and without experiences of dengue. A cross-sectional study was conducted among children between ages 8 and 13, attending the 50 public primary schools in Kanchanadit district, between October and November 2019. A 32-item questionnaire was used to collect children's socio-demographic characteristics (4 items), health information (2 items), knowledge (10 items), attitudes (7 items), and practices (9 items) towards dengue prevention, which required 30 min to complete. The KAP between groups was then statistically compared, to identify possible causes of observed differences. Of 1979 children, 15.6% self-reported that they had been infected with dengue, while 84.4% had no history of the disease. Most children indicated that they obtained dengue-related information from primary school teachers (73.6%) and their parents (68.5%). No statistically significant differences in mean KAP scores were observed between children with and without dengue experiences (P > 0.05). When KAP scores were categorized as good or poor levels, based on an 80% cut-off, 12.3% of all children had good dengue-related knowledge, 41.6% had good attitudes, and 25.9% reported good preventive practices. Dengue experience was significantly and positively associated with exercising good preventive practices (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.75, P = 0.031). There were significant positive correlations between attitudes and practices in both children with and without dengue experiences (P < 0.001). To enhance KAP towards dengue prevention, further efforts are needed to increase routine dengue health education programs for primary school students who have and have not experienced dengue, and to improve health education programs within communities, especially to assist guardians with the dissemination of dengue literature.

Different Domains of Dengue Research in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Questionnaire-Based Studies

This review provided a systematic overview of the questionnaire-related dengue studies conducted in Malaysia and evaluated their reliability and validity used in the questionnaires. An extensive literature search was conducted using various electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and ScienceDirect. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) were selected as the preferred item reporting method. Out of 88 identified dengue-related, 57 published from 2000 to April 2020 met the inclusion criteria and were included. Based on the meta-analysis, a poor mean score was obtained for knowledge (49%), attitude (44%), and preventive practice (55%). The study showed that the level of knowledge on cardinal signs and modes of transmission for dengue virus were highest among health care workers, followed by students (international and local) and lastly community residents. In treatment-seeking behaviours, only half of the respondents (50.8%) would send their child to the nearest health clinics or hospitals when a child became restless or lethargic. The acceptance rate for dengue vaccine, bacteria (Wolbachia), as a vector for dengue control and self-test diagnostic kit for dengue showed considerably high (88.4%, 70%, and 44.8%, respectively). Health belief model (HBM) constructs, such as perceived barriers, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and perceived benefit influence prevention practices. Lastly, only 23 articles (40.3%) had piloted or pretested the questionnaire before surveying, in which three reported Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.70-0.90). A need for active participation of communities and healthcare personnel, promotion of awareness, and safe complementary medicines, as well as assessment of psychometric properties of questionnaire use in dengue surveys in Malaysia, in order for assessing dengue reliably and valid.

Dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Hospital-based cross-sectional KAP assessment at Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporation area

Dengue, the most important mosquito-borne viral disease of humans is a recurring global health problem. In Bangladesh, dengue outbreaks are on the increase despite the efforts of government and it is not clear what the understanding of the general Dhaka population towards dengue fever is. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies are essential guides in public health interventions. Hence, using KAP, this study aims to assess patient-perspectives with regards to factors associated with dengue, as well as investigate the associated factors between the two corporations in Dhaka. A Hospital-based cross-sectional study of 242 fever patients from two city-corporations in Dhaka (Dhaka North City Corporations, DNCC (n = 91, 37.6%) and Dhaka South City Corporation, DSCC (n = 151, 62.4%) was conducted using pre-tested KAP items. Wilcoxon's Rank Sum was used to determine the KAP by DNCC, DSCC and both corporations and multivariate Poisson regression analyses. The two corporations were analysed separately due to the differences in income distribution, concentration of slums, hospitals and clinics. The study found that more than half of the study population were knowledgeable about dengue (mean percentage scores was 52%), possess an appropriate and acceptable attitude towards the disease (69.2%), and about two thirds of the respondents (71.4%) engaged in practices towards its prevention. After adjusting for the potential cofounders, the factors associated with KAP about dengue fever varied between DNCC and DSCC; with duration of residency and use of mosquito nets were associated with knowledge in the north while income class and age were associated with knowledge and attitude in the south. In the pooled analysis (combining both corporations), knowledge of dengue was associated with good practice towards dengue fever among the respondents. The duration of residence in Dhaka (10+ years), not using mosquito nets and length of time spent in the hospital (7+ days) due to dengue, and decreased knowledge (Adjusted coefficient (β) = -0.01, 95%CI: -0.02, -0.01) were associated with attitude towards dengue in DNCC. On the other hand, middle-high income class, age (40+ years) and increased knowledge were associated with practice towards dengue in DSCC (β = 0.02, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.03). Efforts to increase knowledge about dengue fever through education by the administrations of both corporations would benefit from targeting these high-risk groups for a more sustainable outcome.

A knowledge, attitudes, and practices study on ticks and tick-borne diseases in cattle among farmers in a selected area of eastern Bhutan

Livestock farming plays an important role in supporting the livelihood of resource-poor subsistence farmers in Bhutan. However, ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are one of the major constraints to livestock farming due to their negative effect on health and production. To date, no study has been conducted in Bhutan to assess farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about ticks and TBDs in cattle, although such information is essential in ensuring the development and adoption of effective prevention and control measures. Therefore, a KAP survey was conducted among 246 cattle owners in the Samkhar sub-district of eastern Bhutan in June 2019, using a structured questionnaire. Based on our scoring criteria, 52% [95%CI: 45.5-58.4] had adequate knowledge about ticks as potential vectors of diseases. Logistic regression analysis showed that the individuals who practiced a stall-feeding system of cattle rearing were 2.8 times [OR = 2.8 (95%CI: 1.66-4.78)] more likely to have adequate knowledge than others. Sixty-eight percent [95%CI: 62.5-74.4] had a favorable attitude toward tick prevention and control programs. Men were 1.95 times [OR = 1.95 (95%CI: 1.09-3.55)] more likely to have a favorable attitude than women, and the individuals who practiced a stall-feeding system were 2.59 times [OR = 2.59 95%CI: 1.45-4.78)] more likely to have a favorable attitude than others, after adjusting for the effect of other variables in the model. Overall, only 38% [95%CI 32.5-45] of the respondents reported tick infestation as one of the most important animal health problems, but 100% reported using acaricides to control ticks in cattle. Despite a high level of acaricide usage, the level of knowledge was low among the farmers interviewed. Findings from this study underline the importance of considering identified knowledge gaps and initiating education efforts to improve the adoption of effective tick prevention and control measures among farmers.

Knowledge and practice on prevention of mosquito-borne diseases in livestock-keeping and non-livestock-keeping communities in Hanoi city, Vietnam: A mixed-method study

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are causing high morbidity and mortality for humans. Urban livestock keeping is still common in cities around the world. The animals may serve as reservoirs for zoonotic MBDs, which increase the risks for humans. Here we assess the knowledge and practices related to MBDs in households with livestock and without livestock and explore the perceptions of the health care sector about MBDs and livestock keeping in Hanoi city of Vietnam in a cross-sectional study. A quantitative survey was conducted including 513 households with and without livestock-keeping in six districts and complemented with qualitative surveys with four health staff from Hanoi Center of Disease Control and three district health centers. The quantitative survey indicated that the participants possessed basic knowledge on MBDs with an average score of 18.3 out of 35, of which non-livestock-keeping households had a better knowledge than households keeping livestock (p<0.05). Both household categories had low score, 3.5 out of 11, regarding preventive practices against MBDs. The negative binomial model showed that occupation and location of living were factors associated to the knowledge on MBDs. Farmers were likely to have better preventive practices as compared to office workers (p<0.05). Those who had better knowledge also had more adequate preventive practices against MBDs (p<0.001). The qualitative survey revealed that livestock keeping was determined as increasing risks of MBDs due to the increase of mosquito population. It is recommended that community campaigns to raise the awareness and change behavior on MBDs should be organized based on collaboration between the health sector and the veterinary sector for households with and without livestock living in central urban and peri-urban areas. Further studies are needed to confirm the association between urban livestock keeping and potential increasing risks of MBDs such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis.

Does public fear that bats spread COVID-19 jeopardize bat conservation?

With >1 400 species, bats comprise the second-largest order of mammals and provide critical ecological services as insect consumers, pollinators, and seed dispersers. Yet, bats are frequently associated with infectious human diseases such as SARS, MERS, and Ebola. As early as the end of January 2020, several virological studies have suggested bats as a probable origin for SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. How does the public view the role of bats in COVID-19? Here we report pilot data collected shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19 using two online surveys, combined with a conservation intervention experiment, primarily on people who are receiving or have received higher education in China. We found that 84% of the participants of an online survey (n = 13 589) have misunderstood the relationship between bats and COVID-19, which strengthened negative attitudes towards bats. Knowledge of bats, gender, and education level of the participants affected their attitudes towards bats. Participants who indicated a better knowledge of bats had a more positive attitude towards bats. The proportion of female participants who had negative attitudes towards bats was higher than that of male participants. Participants with a higher education level indicated a more positive attitude towards bats after the outbreak of COVID-19. A specially prepared bat conservation lecture improved peoples' knowledge of bats and the positive attitudes, but failed to correct the misconception that bats transmit SARS-CoV-2 to humans directly. We suggest that the way virologists frame the association of bats with diseases, the countless frequently inaccurate media coverages, and the natural perceptual bias of bats carrying and transmitting diseases to humans contributed to the misunderstandings. This probably led to a rise in the events of evicting bats from dwellings and structures by humans and the legislative proposal for culling disease-relevant wildlife in China. A better understanding of the relationship between disease, wildlife and human health could help guide the public and policymakers in an improved program for bat conservation.