2015 Vol. 21 No. 2 PP 241-­251

DENGUE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN JAZAN, SAUDI ARABIA

A.A. ALSHEIKH, E.M. NOURELDIN, A.A. SAHLI¹, W.S. MOHAMMED, O.M DAFALLA ANDA.A. BIN SAEED²

National Center for Vector­Borne Diseases,
MoH –Jazan, B.O. Box 363
JAZAN ­45142, SAUDI ARABIA.
¹General Directorate for Health Affairs,
MoH –JAZAN. SAUDI ARABIA.
²Minister Deputy for Public Health,
MoH­RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA.
siddignoureldin@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices of dengue fever among students of secondary schools in Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the study was done.
A cross­sectional study was conducted among students of six secondary schools in Jazan. Multistage stratified random sample method was used and seven hundred forty two (742) were taken as respondents in study. We collected information on the socio­demographic characteristics of the respondents about their knowledge, attitude and practice towards DF using a prestructured and self administered questionnaire.
Findings illustrate a poor DF knowledge among the secondary school students in Jazan. As to attitudes towards DF prevention and control, the majority of the respondents were having good attitudes and believed that DF could be controlled and prevented (93.2%), DF control is the responsibility of government and community (83.1%) and they themselves have an important role to play in DF prevention (78.5%). The most common practice to prevent mosquito breeding were found to be the disposing of water from breeding containers (85.5%) and covering of water containers (68.6%). A significant association between the practice of DF preventive and control measures and the gender (sex) of the respondents was found (P<0.005). The top two common sources of DF knowledge were identified as primary health care centers (PHCs) and Television (48.1% and 44.5%, respectively).
Low prevalence of sufficient knowledge was evident among secondary school students in Jazan. It is evident from this study that primary health care centers (PHCs) and television were the most important source of information on DF among the study population. Based on this result, government authorities should strengthen its programs on massive educational campaigns to increase awareness and knowledge regarding dengue and preventive measures to reduce mosquito and prevent dengue. Knowledge of dengue, the vectors and transmission of disease may be incorporated into the school curriculum.

Key words :APHA, Assessment of bio­productivity, Hydrobiology, ISI, Management of lentic water bodies, Role of lentic water bodies in human welfare, WHO.