Knowledge, practice and attitude on participatory action research (PAR) on Dengue prevention and control in Namdip sub-distric, Pasang district. Lamphun province.

Abstract

Dengue fever is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes; reduction larva breeding sites needed community participation. In 2007 Pasang district, Lamphun province had highest reported dengue cases. Bureau of Vector Borne Diseases, Lamphun Provincial Health Office, and the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 1, has implemented the Participatory Action Research (PAR) to combat with Dengue fever during 2010 – 2012. This study aimed to determine knowledge, practice on prevention and control dengue fever as well as sustainability on problems solving after PAR project was finished for three years. Study areas were six villages of Namdip sub-distric, Pasang district, Lamphun province. Sample was calculated by estimating the proportion of the population, as a total 660 people were includes in this study. Structured questionnaire with a correlation coefficient of 0.88 were used as a tool, it consists of general information, opinion on PAR activities, knowledge of dengue fever, dengue vector prevention and control.  Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test.  The results found 56.2% were female, age between 51-60 years (38.5%) and 87.4% has participated in various activities of the previous PAR project during 2010 to 2012. Taking into account of their opinion on community participation results found that respondents have a good attitude on PAR activities, 78.8% of them have participated with the previous project. Moreover, 78.8% thought that participatory and learning together in communities are most importance followed by community awareness (65.6%), convince people to understand their community problems (55.0%) and building a volunteer in the community (48.6%). All of the respondents included in the survey have  knowledge on symptoms, prevention and control of dengue fever and still participate on mosquito larva source elimination, they were also introduced these activities to the nearby communities. Thus the community participation model should expand to other communities.