title: Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices regarding dengue fever in rural areas of Yemen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years there have been several reports of outbreaks of dengue fever (DF) in Yemen. This study aimed to describe the prevailing knowledge, attitude and preventive practices regarding DF, and to investigate the factors associated with poor preventive practices in rural areas of Yemen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 804 randomly selected heads of household. A pretested, structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors independently associated with poor practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 804 participants, 753 (93.7%) were aware of the symptoms of DF and 671 (83.4%) knew that DF was transmitted by mosquito bites. Only 420 (52.2%) knew that direct person-to-person transmission was not possible. Furthermore, 205 (25.5%) thought that someone with DF should be avoided and 460 (57.2%) thought the elimination of breeding sites was the responsibility of health authorities. Poor knowledge of DF and a low level of education were significantly associated with poor preventive practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In rural areas of Yemen, people have a vague understanding of DF transmission and a negative attitude towards preventative practices. Efforts should be made to correct misconceptions about transmission of the disease and to highlight the importance of community participation in control activities.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, P.O. Box 2583 Al-Tahreer Post Office, Sana'a, Yemen kghilan@yahoo.co.uk.
authors: Khaled G
authors: KG
authors: Saied
authors: Department Community Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Box 24923 Safat, 13110 Kuwait, Kuwait.
authors: Abdullah
authors: A
authors: Al-Taiar
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, P.O. Box 2583 Al-Tahreer Post Office, Sana'a, Yemen.
authors: Abdulrahman
authors: A
authors: Altaire
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, P.O. Box 2583 Al-Tahreer Post Office, Sana'a, Yemen.
authors: Ala
authors: A
authors: Alqadsi
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, P.O. Box 2583 Al-Tahreer Post Office, Sana'a, Yemen.
authors: Enas F
authors: EF
authors: Alariqi
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, P.O. Box 2583 Al-Tahreer Post Office, Sana'a, Yemen.
authors: Maha
authors: M
authors: Hassaan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D009033:Culicidae; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015006:Yemen
keywords: Attitude; Dengue; Knowledge; Practices; Yemen