KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES RELATING TO DENGUE FEVER AMONG TEACHERS OF PESHAWAR GARRISON

Abstract

Background: The menace of dengue fever (DF), a mosquito-borne viral disease has widely spread throughout the globe leading to a 30-fold increase in its incidence in the last 50 years. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of teachers regarding dengue illness prevention in Peshawar Garrison, Pakistan. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in 9 schools and colleges of Peshawar Garrison over a period of 3 months. One hundred and eighty (180) teachers from schools and colleges were included in the study. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire, and analysed using SPSS-22. Results: Scale average and item average for knowledge ranged from 19 to 57 and 1 to 3 respectively. The scale average 38.79 and item average 2.04 correspond to ‘yes’ category of responses. For attitude the scale average and item average ranged from 6 to 30 and 1 to 5 respectively. The scale average of 8.93 and item average of 1.79 corresponding to somewhere between strongly agree and agree. Regarding practice, the range of scale and item averages was 8 to 16 and 1 to 2 respectively. A scale average score of 15.16 and item average score of 1.69 correspond to ‘yes’ category of responses. Conclusion: There was a consistency in the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of participants related to DF. Teachers at all levels be inculcated in promoting awareness among general population regarding DF.

Pak J Physiol 2016;12(2):40–2