Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Dengue has become a major health problem in globally as well as locally. The delay in health-seeking is significantly associated with complications leading to severe dengue and active engagement of communities needs to minimize the delays in management to control epidemics. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and householders' Health-Seeking Behaviours (HSB), Dengue-Prevention Behaviours (DPB), and Community Capacities (CC) for sustained dengue prevention in Sri Lanka, a country with a high dengue endemicity.
Methods
A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in a district with the highest dengue endemicity from January to April 2019. Of the householders, 532 were chosen randomly. A pre-tested, validated, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to assess HSB and DPB. The HSB was assessed using three aspects, initial response for fever management, the duration of blood testing and initial response if suspected dengue. The DPB assessment was evaluated using ‘waste, outdoor water container, indoor water container, roof gutter and water storage management’. ‘Dengue Community Capacity Assessment Tool’, with 14 key items was used to assess the level of community capacity for dengue prevention. Out of the total, ≥ 50% was considered as an “adequate” HSB, DPB and CC. Multiple logistic regression was performed to control confounding effects. The results were expressed as adjusted Odds-Ratios (aOR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).
Results
The response rate was 93.2% (n = 496). Among them, 44.6% (n = 221) had adequate overall HSB, and 19.2% (n = 95) had adequate DPB. Householders who have ≤ 4 family members are 1.74 times (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.17 – 2.61) more likely to have adequate HSB and 1.85 times (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.11 – 3.09) more likely to have adequate DPB. The age group of 46 to 70 years’ individuals (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI:1.12 – 2.92), and who engaged in employment (aOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.05 – 2.67) were more likely to have adequate DPB than the group of 18 to 45 years and the non-employed individuals respectively. Of them, 24.6% (n = 122) perceived that they have adequate CC. The householders who have per-capita income < USD 50 are 1.95 times (aOR = 1.95; 95%CI:1.11 – 3.40) more likely to have adequate CC.
Conclusion
The HSB, DPB and CC need to be improved to change the behaviour for sustainable dengue prevention and community capacity-building programmes need to be conducted in the Kurunegala district, Sri Lanka.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference26 articles.
1. National Dengue Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine. National Action Plan on prevention and control of dengue 2019 - 2023, Sri Lanka. 2019. http://www.dengue.health.gov.lk/web/phocadownload/national_action_plan_book_final.pdf.
2. Olenja J. Editorial: health seeking behaviour in context. 2003. http://www.ajol.info/index.php/eamj/article/viewFile/8689/1927.
3. McNaughton D. The importance of long-term social research in enabling participation and developing engagement strategies for new dengue control technologies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2012;6(8):e1785. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001785.
4. Elsinga J, Lizarazo EF, Vincenti MF, Schmidt M, Velascoalas ZI, Arias L, Bailey A, Tami A. Health seeking behaviour and treatment intentions of dengue and fever: a household survey of children and adults in Venezuela. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2015;9(12):e0004237. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004237.
5. Harapan H, Michie A, Mudatsir M, Sasmono RT, Imrie A. Epidemiology of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Indonesia: analysis of five decades data from the National Disease Surveillance. BMC Res Notes. 2019;12(1):350. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4379-9.
Cited by
4 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献