The Protection Motivation and Behavior of using Temephos-coated Sand for Dengue Vector Control among Household Residents in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a national public health problem. Dengue vector control is crucial for dengue prevention and control, particularly in tropical countries. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the protection motivation aspects for the disease and behavior of using temephos-coated sand for dengue vector control among household residents in Nakhon Ratchasima province. A multistage stratified sampling process resulted in a sample of 488 household residents. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the household residents had sufficient knowledge about dengue fever and the use of temephos-coated sand (47.1%) and had a level of appropriate behavior in using temephos-coated sand to control mosquito larvae (66.8%). While the residents had the highest expectations of self-efficacy in their ability to prevent dengue fever (69.7%). In addition, it was found that preventative control behavior with temephos-coated sand was significantly correlated with perceived vulnerability (AOR = 2.45; 95%CI: 1.47-4.10; P-value <0.01), perceived severity (AOR = 7.32; 95%CI: 3.90-13.74; P-value <0.01), perceived response efficacy (AOR = 2.16; 95%CI: 1.33-3.52; P-value <0.01), and perceived expectation of self-efficacy (AOR = 4.59; 95%CI: 2.76-7.65; P-value <0.01). This study indicates that protection motivation is an important factor in the behavior of using temephos-coated sand, motivational activities should be supported focusing on the awareness of the perceived severity that will affect the behavior of using temephos-coated sand for more effective of dengue vector control and prevention of dengue fever in the community.