Knowledge and Preventive Behaviors for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Among Secondary School Students, Watsothonwararamworawiharn School, Na Muang Sub-district, Muang Chachoengsao District, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the knowledge and behavior that could prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever among secondary school students, at Watsothonwararamworawiharn school, Na Mueang sub-district Chachoengsao district Chachoengsao province. Research and the samples was specifically selected from 200 secondary school students of the academic year 2006. The questionnaire was used as a tool to collect data using the alpha coefficient of Cronbach with a confidence value equal to 0.69. The statistics used in data analysis were percentage, mean and standard deviation.

            The results showed that students had knowledge about dengue fever in the medium level (0.57±0.43) and preventive behaviors in the medium level (2.16±0.44) and the knowledge about dengue fever was associated with dengue fever prevention behavior at a statistically significant level (r=-0.21;p<0.01). However, during the outbreak of dengue fever in the area, the age group 10-of 14 year had high morbidity rates.  The results of this study pointed to the need to inform students of all ages with knowledge about the diseases of the poor including the causes of dengue fever disease, mosquito larvae breeding grounds and mosquito bites duration. This may result in moderate knowledge preventive and behavior toward dengue hemorrhagic fever.