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

• Published in: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 19; no. 7; pp. 1 - 16
• Main Authors: Rahman, Md Mostafizur, Khan, Saadmaan Jubayer, Tanni, Kamrun Nahar, Roy, Tuly, Chisty, Musabber Ali, Islam, Md. Rakibul, Rumi, Md. Alim Al Raji, Sakib, Mohammed Sadman, Quader, Masrur Abdul, Bhuiyan, Md. Nafee-Ul-Islam, Rahman, Farzana, Alam, Edris, Islam, Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul
• Format: Publication Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel - Switzerland MDPI 28.03.2022; MDPI AG
• Subjects: 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; Bangladesh; United States > US; Dhaka Bangladesh; university students; Dhaka city; urban planning; infectious disease; dengue
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074023

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.