Factors affecting dengue preventive behaviors in North Okkalapa township, Yangon region, Myanmar

Abstract

Dengue imposes a tremendous disease burden in the South East Asia Region including Myanmar, especially in Yangon region. North Okkalapa Township was one of the townships in Yangon region which was reported higher dengue cases than other townships. Crowded households, inadequate water supply, improper waste disposal and seasonal flooding which cause potentially artificial breeding site for Aedes Mosquitos was found in North Okkalapa Township. Therefore, understanding the factors that affect dengue preventive behaviors are important for enhancing dengue prevention and control. The cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the factors associated with dengue preventive behaviors in North Okkalapa Township, Myanmar during April to May, 2020. The constructs of health belief model and social support concept was applied to identify factors associated with dengue preventive behaviors. The target population was the household's representative who influences daily household activities. Clustered sample group was selected by using probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling method. The sample size was 225 households. The questionnaires were developed by the researcher based on literature reviews. It includes (1) general characteristics of respondent and other household information; (2) knowledge about dengue virus infection and prevention and control; (3) perception on dengue virus infection and dengue prevention behaviors; (4) social support for dengue prevention and control; and (5) dengue preventive behaviors (personal protection, vector and larvae control). Descriptive analysis and Chi-square tests were applied to find the proportion of variables and association between general characteristics, knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, cues to action, social support and dengue preventive behaviors. The result shows that mean age of respondents was 39.69±10.0. Among general characteristics, only family income shows significant association with dengue preventive behaivors. The result of the study also reveals that half of the respondents had moderate level of knowledge and fair perceived susceptibility on dengue virus infection. Around 62 % of the respondents had favourable perceived severity, 60.9 % of respondents had also favourable perceived benefit and 68 % of respondents with moderate perceived barrier. Also 51.6 % show cue to action on dengue prevention and control. Majority of the respondents perceived that there is poor social support from family and health personnel in regards to dengue prevention and control. In this study, around half of the respondents had moderate preventive behaviors. There were statistically significant association between knowledge, cue to action, social support and dengue preventive behaviors (p-value <0.05). Therefore, the health personnel and government sector should be concerned more about health education program, need sustainable support on dengue prevention and control such as, fogging or chemical spray; inspection and operating the mosquito breeding site; and notification of dengue cases in the community. The result will be useful for health personnel and nongovernmental organization for further implementation of dengue prevention and control. IMPLICATION OF THESIS This study is database which finds association factors to dengue preventive behaviors in North Okkalapa township. It helps and guides the community member for the three lowest preventive behaviors such as: to practice more in using mosquito net in day time, using pesticides and camphor as a mosquito repellent , and participation in dengue prevention and control activities in the community. Moreover, the result of this study will be useful for government sector and non-governmental organization to advocate the particular policies; to initiate strategies for prevention; implementation health education program and mobilizing community people.