The relationship between perceptions, attitudes and practices towards Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention of the population in Khok Samrong District, Lopburi Province.

Abstract

     The objectives of this descriptive research were to study the relationship between perceptions, attitudes and practices towards Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention of the population in Khok Samrong District, Lopburi Province. The study population was the 384 samples from households in Khok Samrong district. The data collection was done by interviewing the household’s representative. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation and the relationships using chi-square and the Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
     The results showed that perceptions towards Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention is high (= 8.74, S.D. = 1.522), attitudes towards risk of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is high ( = 37.83, S.D. = 3.364), attitudes towards severity of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is high (= 37.88, S.D. = 4.644), attitudes towards benefits of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention is moderate ( = 36.39, S.D. = 5.212), and attitudes towards barriers of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention is moderate (= 33.18, S.D. = 3.435). Overall attitudes towards Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention the is moderate (= 145.29, S.D. = 11.862) and practice of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention is moderate (= 34.72, S.D. = 6.333). Correlation analysis showed that age, occupation, participation in the activities of the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention, perceptions towards operations of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention, attitude towards risks of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and attitude towards severity of Dengue hemorrhagic Fever are correlated to practices of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention of the population (p-value < 0.01).
     Results of this research can be used as a guideline for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention by promoting perceptions of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention for increasing attitudes towards risk and severity of disease and improving practices Dengue hemorrhagic Fever prevention. Publicity of prevention and benefits of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever prevention should be increased, especially in the younger age groups, government/enterprise/private and employees groups which levels of practices to prevent Dengue hemorrhagic Fever prevention are less than other groups.