Introduction
Dengue Fever (DF) is nowadays a worldwide concern. WHO estimates that 50 to 100 million cases of DF occur in the world every year. The main reasons of unsuccessful control efforts against mosquito diseases include continued dependency on chemical spraying, lack of intersectorial cooperation for healthy environment, and lack of mosquito control activities with community participation. For the success of community-based programs against dengue fever; it is necessary to understand the level of knowledge of the community regarding dengue diseases. Dengue has been endemic in Jeddah city, and multiple educational programs have been developed to inform the population about dengue prevention. Considering the magnitude of the problem, and from the prevention standpoint, the present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of the community in Jeddah city regarding dengue and the preventive practices undertaken by them.
Methodology
This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire, conducted among adults above 15 years of age living in Jeddah city, attending the MOH-PHCCs during 2010. Sampling was done by stratified random cluster sampling technique. The questionnaire was translated to the Arabic language.
Results
Among the total 404 respondents, 51,0% were males. 42.3% in the age group 15-30 years and 42.6% in the age group 31-45 years, 92.1% were Saudi, 52.2 % knew that dengue fever is caused by virus, 82.9% knew it is transmitted by mosquitoes, 46.5% knew that anyone can catch dengue fever, 32.4% knew that no lifelong immunity develop with dengue fever, regarding disease symptom 69.6% mentioned fever, 19.3% knew that there is no specific treatment for dengue, while nearly one third answered that there is no specific vaccine. 64.1% used windows screens, 56.2% disposing garbage regularly, 79.0% had received some information regarding dengue fever, 52.0 % was from TV. Young people (<30years), people with below university education, unemployed persons including housewives, and persons with low income had a lower knowledge level for dengue fever. Persons with higher knowledge level about the disease more frequently reported the use of preventive measures. Health education was found to be associated with higher knowledge
Conclusion
The overall knowledge and practice of the studied population regarding dengue fever was defective. Young people (<30years), people with below university education, unemployed persons including housewives, and persons with low income had lower knowledge level for dengue fever. Persons with higher knowledge level about the disease more frequently reported the use of preventive measures. Health education was found to be associated with higher knowledge.