Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning dengue fever in schools. Lambayeque, Peru

Authors

Keywords:

Dengue, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Information Dissemination

Abstract

Introduction: dengue fever is a viral disease widely distributed in tropical areas, influenced by climatic factors and the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The economic burden on health services is a key factor in endemic locations.

Objective: to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of schoolchildren concerning dengue fever in Lambayeque, Peru.

Methods: an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2019 in secondary schools in the districts of Lambayeque, Peru. Fifty-two students were chosen through simple random sample. Each student was given a structured questionnaire previously validated.

Results: thirty-eight valid surveys were selected, where 53,85 % of which were from rural schools; 94 % expressed knowledge of dengue, 47 % reported receiving the information by television; 28 % recognized fever, vomiting and diarrhea as the main symptoms. The 89 % reported water tanks as the main breeding ground, 86 % recognized the disease as a serious problem and 87 % said it could be prevented or controlled. While the 89 % agreed that it is people's responsibility to prevent dengue fever and 95 % agreed on the need to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Conclusions: secondary school students in Lambayeque have a low level of knowledge regarding the causal agent, transmission route and symptoms of dengue fever. Knowledge about attitudes and practices regarding this disease was high.

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References

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Published

2020-07-05

How to Cite

1.
Iglesias-Osores S, Saavedra-Camacho JL, Yamunaqué-Castro LA. Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning dengue fever in schools. Lambayeque, Peru. Univ. Méd. Pinareña [Internet]. 2020 Jul. 5 [cited 2025 Apr. 13];17(2):e561. Available from: https://revgaleno.sld.cu/index.php/ump/article/view/561

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2021): Mayo-Agosto

Section

Brief Originals

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