Understanding Dengue Fever: Community Perspectives on Transmission, Prevention, and Health seeking behavior in suburban areas of Kancheepuram district.

Viswanath, Subhashini; R., Mamata Subhakar; Kathirvelu, Parimala; T., Stephen; Baskaran, Gayathri

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito and is caused by dengue virus. The World Health Organization estimated a rise in reported cases globally between 2000 and 2019, rising from 500,000 to 5.2 million. As per the report of TN Govt, 8527 cases reported in 2019, and 6039 in 2021.A cross sectional study was done among 370 participants in a sub urban neighborhood of Kancheepuram and data was analyzed using SPSS software. The mean age and standard deviation of the sample was 44.3 ±15.6 years. Almost all the participants were >40 years of age (55.7%). The awareness about dengue among the participants was found to be 204 (55.1%). People with income < 20,000 Rs has inadequate knowledge about dengue when compared to people earning >20,000 Rs (p=0.000, OR=2.883, 95%CI -1.659-5.008). Preventing breeding of mosquito is responsibility of healthcare professional and community. Community awareness and understanding of dengue fever and the need for targeted management strategies that take the bionomics of the relevant vector species into account. To further reduce dengue incidence and its effects, preventative measures including educational programs and methods to control vectors ought to be undertaken. Promoting vaccination programs can play a major role in reducing dengue outbreaks and safeguarding susceptible groups when integrated into public health campaigns.

DENGUE viruses; DENGUE; VIRUS diseases; AEDES aegypti; SUBURBS

Pravara Medical Review, 2024, Vol 16, Issue 3, p73

0975-0533

Academic Journal

10.36848/PMR/2024/90000.90220