This study delves into the knowledge, attitude and prevention practices towards DF, among university students of Bangladesh. According to our study, a small proportion of the students (30.4%) achieved a high knowledge score. This finding was lower than the studies conducted in India(Arora, Arora, Sharma, & Kotwal, 2017), Pakistan(Itrat et al., 2008), Malaysia (Naing et al., 2011), Brazil (Dégallier, Vilarinhos, de Carvalho, Knox, & Caetano, 2000), Jamaica (Shuaib, Todd, Campbell-Stennett, Ehiri, & Jolly, 2010). The variation may be attributed to the presence of DF awareness, varying research sites, methodologies, and sample sizes. However, study conducted among university students in Dhaka city (Rahman et al., 2022) in 2021 had higher knowledge score (66.72%) on DF. Lower level of knowledge score after this year gaps in 2024, is a matter of concern for this vulnerable group.
Students in our study were found to obtain high attitude score (72.28%) indicates a greater concern of the participants towards DF. This result is concordant with other studies conducted in Yemen (Saied et al., 2015), Nepal (Phuyal et al., 2022), Malaysia (Lugova & Wallis, 2017) and among university students in Dhaka city. This elevated level of concern may stem from increased exposure to information about DF and its risks through various sources, such as educational institutions, social media, and the transmission of news and information from television channels.
35.92% participants of our study reported a high practice score which is found consistent with studies conducted in Jamaica (Shuaib et al., 2010), Nepal (Phuyal et al., 2022), Indonesia (Harapan et al., 2018). However, this finding was lower than a study conducted among university students in Malaysia (Lugova & Wallis, 2017). The possible explanation might be that the students do not believe they are at danger of developing DF which may have contributed to this. A person's behaviour is strongly rooted in structural and social variables, making transformation difficult, (Phuyal et al., 2022) such as sleeping outdoors due to load shedding, absence or unable to bear mosquito control materials like mosquito coils, spray, repellent cream or ointments etc.
Students having dengue related subject in their current curriculum were significantly associated with higher knowledge and attitude. The finding was in accordance with prior studies carried out among students and youth in Dhaka city(Rahman et al., 2022; A. Siddique et al., 2024) and in consistent with a study conducted in Riohacha, Colombia(Benítez-Díaz, Diaz-Quijano, & Martínez-Vega, 2020). A potential reason might be that it is education which brings behavioural changes among students resulting in change in attitude. Moreover, university students possess higher health literacy which enables them to face challenges against dengue and protect themselves(Benítez-Díaz et al., 2020). University authorities could play a crucial role in health promotion so that they can contribute in raising awareness among this vulnerable group. Moreover, to implement long-term dengue prevention habits, education and monitoring should continue (M. I. Hossain et al., 2021).
Our study reveals that dengue cases in neighbourhood were an influencing factor for participants enhancing their knowledge level on dengue fever. This result ties nicely with prior studies conducted in Bangladesh(A. Siddique et al., 2024), Portugal(Nazareth et al., 2015) and Colombia(Benítez-Díaz et al., 2020). The possible explanation might be that individuals who have personally encountered dengue or who have close connections with those affected by the disease are more likely to perceive an increased risk of dengue fever which influence one to gain more knowledge on dengue fever and its consequences.
Attitude level was found to be lower among female compared to male participants. The findings contrasted with those of other studies conducted in Malaysia(Wong, Shakir, Atefi, & AbuBakar, 2015) and Puerto Rico (Pérez-Guerra, Zielinski-Gutierrez, Vargas-Torres, & Clark, 2009). This discrepancy may be due to the lower number of female participants in this study, which could have resulted in a lower overall attitude level.
Our study found a significant association between preventive practices and students who had family members affected by dengue. This result aligns with findings from other studies conducted in Costa Rica (Egedus, Ortega, & Obando, 2014), Pakistan (Itrat et al., 2008), Venezuela (Elsinga et al., 2018). A plausible rationale might be that respondents with household dengue infection/s may view dengue as more threatening and prioritize prevention. This heightened awareness of dengue symptoms and preventive practices within families may increase the likelihood of preventing dengue fever.
The present study found a significant association between a high level of knowledge and the adoption of effective dengue-related preventive practices among participants. These finding lines up with previous research, which has consistently demonstrated a positive correlation between dengue knowledge and the implementation of prevention and control measures (Itrat et al., 2008; Lugova & Wallis, 2017; Wong et al., 2015). A plausible explanation for this relationship is that greater knowledge of the dengue virus may lead to behavioural changes among students, fostering an increased commitment to preventive practices. Enhanced awareness of the symptoms, transmission methods, and preventive strategies for dengue likely contributes to improved compliance with these practices, ultimately aiding in the prevention and control of the disease.
Limitations and strengths
The use of a convenience sampling technique and reliance on a self-reported online survey may introduce bias. Additionally, data collected through offline surveys using questionnaires could be biased, as students might influence each other's responses to certain questions. Furthermore, no follow-up investigation or observation was conducted for students who reported not being at risk for dengue. Those who were infected with dengue fever were not asked if they had reports of their infection.
As no other study has been conducted, the findings of this study can help to gain a deep understanding on the student's KAP on DF. The data can also help researchers study future dengue conditions in comparing with the findings of this study.