Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dengue fever among adults of high and low socioeconomic groups.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the knowledge, attitudes and practices of selected adult population in Pakistan regarding Dengue Fever.


METHODS
A cross sectional survey was conducted among selected communities with different socio-economic backgrounds in Karachi, Pakistan. A sample size of 440 adults (aged 18 years and above) were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude and practices about dengue fever. A composite scoring system, based on the answers given in the questionnaire, was used to establish the level of awareness in the population. The division of the higher and lower socio-economic groups was based on their income and locality; both these variables were determined as a part of our survey.


RESULTS
Data from 400 respondents (244 males, 156 females) was used for primary analysis. About thirty five percent of the sample had adequate knowledge about dengue fever and its vector. Knowledge had significant associations with education (p = 0.004) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.02). The high socioeconomic group showed better preventive practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of dengue is inadequate in the low socioeconomic class. Better preventive practices against the vector are prevalent in the high socioeconomic group. Hence, a greater focus should be accorded to the low socioeconomic areas in future health campaigns.
Syed
Madiha
M
Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
Saleem
Taimur
T
Syeda
Umme-Rubab
UR
Habib
Manal
M
Zahid
Rehan
R
Bashir
Atif
A
Rabbani
Madiha
M
Khalid
Madiha
M
Iqbal
Asif
A
Rao
Ehsen Zawwar
EZ
Shujja-ur-Rehman
Saleem
Sarah
S
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D011203:Poverty; D011634:Public Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires