Publication:

Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice of preschool teachers on dengue fever in Mandalay City, Myanmar

Background Severe dengue has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children and adults in most Asian countries. WHO stated that the death rate of children with severe dengue who required hospitalization is about 2.5%? It is one of the principal epidemic diseases in Myanmar. Moreover, the highest numbers of dengue cases and deaths was between age 5 and 9 years followed by between age 2 and 4 years.

Methods A cross-sectional study among 168 preschool teachers by surveying with semi-structured questionnaire.

Results The mean age was 29.36±9.04 years. Nearly 70% of them were graduated. Only 30.95% had high level of knowledge, 48.81% had positive attitude and 44.64% had good preventive practice level. There were no significant associations between socio-demographic characteristics and levels of knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice with the exception between education and levels of knowledge (p=0.027). Between knowledge and attitude, there was a significant association (p=0.005). However, levels of prevention practice had no significant association with levels of knowledge and attitude.

Conclusions Despite their high education, preventive practice still needs to be promoted.