Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Prevention and Control Behaviors among People in Chawang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

The objectives of this cross-sectional survey research were: 1) to study dengue hemorrhagic fever prevention and control behaviors, and 2) to investigate factors related to dengue hemorrhagic fever prevention and control behaviors among people in Chawang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Data were collected from 377 participants in Chawang district community during March 2020. A systematic random sampling method of participant recruitment was performed. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient, Chi-square test, and Cramer’s V.

The study results revealed that behavior on dengue hemorrhagic fever prevention and control of participants was observed at the high level (87.26%), Mean=2.65, SD=0.24. The item with the highest mean score was the waste disposal and unused containers both inside and outside the house (Mean= 2.86, SD=0.39), whereas the item of hanging clothes on wall was observed at the lowest score (Mean = 2.10, SD=0.73). Factors related to dengue hemorrhagic fever prevention and control behaviors were statistically significant (P<0.05) including: education level (P=0.041), age (P=0.002), and monthly income (P=0.012). Whereas factors related to dengue hemorrhagic fever prevention and control behaviors were not statistically significant (P>0.05) including gender, marital status, occupation, number of dengue patients in the house, knowledge, and attitudes regarding dengue hemorrhagic fever prevention and control. In future study, it is necessary to work collaboratively with the Chawang district community partners and local authorities in order to sustain and promote dengue hemorrhagic fever prevention and control behaviors among people in this community.