Factors related to Dengue Fever Prevention Behavior of Nursing Students at Western University, Buriram Campus

Abstract

This survey research aimed to examine factors associated with dengue fever prevention behaviors among nursing students at Western University, Buriram Campus. Samples consisted of 225 1^st to 4^th year nursing students. The research instruments included a questionnaire on dengue fever perception and a questionnaire on dengue fever prevention behavior. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviations, and Pearson's Chi-square test. The results revealed that the participants had a high overall perception of dengue fever, with an average score of 4.01. The perceived risk of dengue fever, perceived severity of dengue fever, and perceived outcomes of dengue prevention were also high, with average scores of 4.01, 3.93, and 4.09, respectively. Dengue prevention behavior was also high, with an average score of 3.91. Factors significantly associated with dengue fever prevention behavior among nursing students included overall dengue fever perception, perceived risk of dengue fever, perceived severity of dengue fever, and perceived outcomes of dengue prevention, all with statistical significance at p<0.01. This study demonstrates that nursing students' health perception plays a significant role in fostering appropriate health behaviors, especially behaviors to prevent dengue fever, which remains a major public health problem in Thailand.