Journal Article

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

Islam, Md. Rakibul, Quader, Masrur Abdul, Chisty, Musabber Ali, Bhuiyan, Md. Nafee-Ul-Islam, Khan, Saadmaan Jubayer, Islam, Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul, Rahman, Farzana, Alam, Edris, Sakib, Mohammed Sadman, Tanni, Kamrun Nahar, Roy, Tuly, Rumi, Md. Alim Al Raji, Rahman, Md Mostafizur

2022

Overview

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.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Aedes / Animals / Attitudes / Bangladesh - epidemiology / Colleges & universities / Cross-Sectional Studies / Data collection / Dengue - epidemiology / Dengue fever / Digital broadcasting / Epidemics / Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Humans / Infectious diseases / Knowledge / Likert scale / Questionnaires / Sampling techniques / Sociodemographics / Students / Universities / University students