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International Journal of Mosquito Research
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Vol. 4, Issue 4, Part B (2017)

Knowledge gap and risk for dengue epidemic in a Panchayath in central Kerala

Author(s): Arun N Bhatt, Sumit Datta, Cilby K Benny, Ashly Abraham Paul and Gokul Sasi
Abstract: Background: The present study was conducted with the objective to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of source reduction in Thirumarady grama panchayath in central Kerala which was repeatedly affected by dengue outbreaks in the past.
Methodology: 130 households were selected by systematic random sampling. Respondents were interviewed and the premises were inspected for mosquito breeding with a pilot tested questionnaire. Numerators for aedes larval indices were calculated by multiplying a correction factor of 0.88 to number of houses and number of containers with any mosquito larvae. Appropriate statistical methods were applied to explore factors associated with mosquito breeding and to eliminate confounding.
Results: Among the 130 respondents, 19% were elderly and 70% were females and 70% were poor. Proportion of respondents with correct knowledge was as followed – dengue as a mosquito borne disease(65%), clean artificial water collection as source of mosquito breeding(25%), weekly frequency of source reduction(31%), identification of aedes mosquito(51%) and day biting habit of aedes (16%). House index, container index, Breteau index were 19.2%, 10.9% and 53.4 respectively. The households with elderly respondents were at higher risk (a-OR=3.75, 95% CI: 1.44 – 9.79, p<0.05) for peridomestic mosquito breeding whereas other socio demographic, knowledge and attitude factors had no association.
Conclusion: The larval indices suggested high risk of dengue transmission and there were crucial knowledge gaps. The houses with only elderly during working hours should be given special attention during source reduction activities.
Pages: 130-134  |  2248 Views  235 Downloads


International Journal of Mosquito Research
How to cite this article:
Arun N Bhatt, Sumit Datta, Cilby K Benny, Ashly Abraham Paul, Gokul Sasi. Knowledge gap and risk for dengue epidemic in a Panchayath in central Kerala. Int J Mosq Res 2017;4(4):130-134.
International Journal of Mosquito Research

International Journal of Mosquito Research

International Journal of Mosquito Research
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