Journal Article

Community perception and risk reduction practices toward malaria and dengue: A mixed-method study in slums of Chetla, Kolkata

Pal, Arkaprovo, Paul, Bobby, Dasgupta, Aparajita, Podder, Debayan, Roy, Soumit, Bandyopadhyay, Lina

2019

Overview

Background: Globally, vector-borne diseases account for 17% of infectious disease burden. In India, despite accelerated efforts, both malaria and dengue are major public health concern. Understanding local community perspectives is essential to strengthen ongoing program activities. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the community perceptions and risk reduction practices toward prevention and control of malaria and dengue at slums of Chetla in South Kolkata and to explore the perspectives of relevant local stakeholders in this regard. Methods: This cross-sectional study with mixed-method design was conducted from June to September 2018. Quantitative data were collected in 288 sampled households through face-to-face interview of respondents and environmental checklist, whereas, qualitative exploration was done with five key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 Software. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically using \"cut and sort\" processing technique. Results: In household survey, majority had unsatisfactory knowledge (68.4%), attitude (64.2%), and practices (62.8%) regarding diseases prevention/control, which was further substantiated by qualitative findings. The use of electric fans (79.5%), mosquito repellents (53.8%) were predominant practices; however, only a few used bed nets regularly (26.0%). Reportedly, \"heat\" and \"poor ventilation\" were key reasons behind reluctance to use bed nets. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that increasing age, proximity to a nearby canal, and unsatisfactory knowledge significantly predicted unfavorable attitude, whereas, respondents' gender and unfavorable attitude significantly predicted poor practices. Conclusions: Intensified social behavior change communication with active community participation is the need of the hour to prevent malaria and dengue occurrence and future outbreaks.

• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd,Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd,Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd,Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Age Factors / Aged / Analysis / Attitudes / Communicable Disease Control - methods / Communicable diseases / Community / Community involvement / Community Participation / Cross-Sectional Studies / Data analysis / dengue / Dengue - prevention & control / Dengue fever / Disease control / Disease prevention / Disease transmission / Environment / Female / Ghettos / Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Households / Humans / India / Infectious diseases / Insect Repellents - administration & dosage / Insecticide-Treated Bednets - statistics & numerical data / Interviews / Knowledge / Malaria / Malaria - prevention & control / Male / Middle Aged / mixed methods / Mixed methods research / Mosquito Control - methods / Mosquitoes / Outdoor air quality / Patient outcomes / Perceptions / Population / Poverty Areas / Prevention / Public health / Qualitative analysis / Regression Analysis / Repellents / Risk factors / Risk management / Risk perception / Risk Reduction Behavior / Sex Factors / Slums / Social behavior / Social class / Studies / Tropical diseases / vector-borne disease / Vector-borne diseases / Ventilation / Viral diseases / Water Supply / Young Adult