A STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES REGARDING DENGUE FEVER AMONG PEOPLE LIVING IN URBAN AREA OF JHANSI CITY (UP)

BACKGROUND: Dengue is the major public health problem leading to increase in disease burden in terms of disability and deaths. Despite the magnitude of problem no documented evidence exists in India, which reveals the awareness and practices of country's adult population regarding dengue fever, its spread, symptoms, treatment and prevention. OBJECTIVES: To access the knowledge, attitude and practices among the people living in urban area of Jhansi city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A field based cross-sectional study was conducted during April - July 2014 among 100 respondents (> 18 years) from 223 households of green park colony of urban area of Jhansi city. Simple random sampling was used for interview by using a pretested, structured questionnaire. Knowledge was recorded and classified. Data obtained were collected and analysed statistically by simple proportions and chi-square test. RESULTS: Of the total 100 respondents (59%) were male. When the socio-demographic characteristics of the study population were analysed, majority were young adults (20-40 years) and were literate. Majority of participants cited mosquito bite as the commonest mode of spread. About 80% of the respondents identify fever as the most common clinical symptom. Nearly half of the respondents had insufficient knowledge about the causative agent of dengue. Television and media were important source of information. Around 60% of respondents correctly reported biting time of mosquito vector. Most prevalent preventive method was coils, liquid vaporisers. CONCLUSION: The study indicated that the respondents were quite familiar with dengue. Need for information, education, and communication programme to identify barrier and provide positive preventive practices about dengue. We conclude that there is need to increase health promotion activities to increase knowledge which forms the basis for preventive practices as a part to control dengue.