Aedes-borne disease awareness in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu, India

Liston FDO R; Ananya Hatibaruah; Sathya Jeevitha B; Farhat S K; Rajalakshmi Anbalagan; Neena Elezebeth Philip; Jayalakshmi Krishnan; Binduja S

Liston FDO R Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Ananya Hatibaruah Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Sathya Jeevitha B Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Farhat S K Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Rajalakshmi Anbalagan Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Neena Elezebeth Philip Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Jayalakshmi Krishnan Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Binduja S Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India

Keywords: Dengue Fever, University / College students, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice

Abstract

Background: In India, vector-borne diseases account for the high burden
of all infectious diseases (WHO, 2020). Among these, Dengue Fever
(DF) is the most common viral disease transmitted by Aedes spp. such
as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to identify and assess the Knowledge,
Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of Dengue fever among the University /
College students in Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 13 University/
Colleges from Thiruvarur district. The targeted study group was above
the age group of 17 years from the rural and urban settings of Thiruvarur
district. The study instrument contains a questionnaire on knowledge,
attitude, and practices regarding Dengue fever in university/ college
students.
Results: In the present study, the prime source from which the students
received information on Dengue Knowledge was from TV (68.6%). There
was significant association between knowledge level and educational
level (X2
= 3.964, df=1, p < 0.05), between knowledge, attitude and
practices with the Institutional type (X2

= 4.35, 6.315, 6.662 df=1, p <

0.05) and between practices and gender (X2

= 3.866 df=1, p < 0.05). There
was positive moderate correlation between Knowledge and Attitude
(r=0.441), between Attitude and Practice (r=0.606), and there was a
positive weak correlation between Knowledge and Practice (r=0.374).
Conclusion: Despite having sufficient knowledge regarding dengue
fever, students is still lacking in the knowledge of vector transmission
and breeding grounds. This suggests that the public health authorities
should implement future intervention strategies and conduct health
education programs.

How to cite this article:
Liston F D O R, Hatibaruah A, Jeevith S B, Farhat
S K, Anbalagan R, Philip N E, Krishnan J, Binduja
S. Aedes-borne disease awareness in Thiruvarur
District of Tamil Nadu, India. J Commun Dis.
2025;57(1):9-19.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202502

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