Factors affecting household-based dengue prevention practices among caregivers in Thailand's temporary shelter

• Main Author: Than, Hla
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3794
• Institution: De La Salle University

This descriptive study was carried out among caregivers living in Maela temporary shelter in Tak Province, Thailand. The objective of the study was to identify the factors affecting caregivers household-based dengue prevention practices. A total of 100 Myanmar people ranging from 22 to 68 years old were surveyed. Four groups of respondents equal in number (Male young and old, female young and old) were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. It was found out that 46% of the respondents had high level of knowledge about dengue and 83% had right attitude towards dengue. For dengue prevention method, most of the respondents knew that using bednet when the child is sleeping in daytime can prevent the dengue. However, only 45% of the respondents fairly practiced Aedes control methods. The most popular practice was using the bednet when the child is sleeping in daytime. The main source of social support in dengue prevention was from the family members who helped in changing the water from barrels and flower pots regularly. Most of the help coming from the organization was materials support such as abate sand granules distribution. Significant associations were found between respondents knowledge and dengue prevention practices; social support and respondents dengue prevention behavior; and organizational support and respondents prevention practices. These findings indicate that if the residents in temporary shelter are supplied with correct knowledge through appropriate channels with the support of social communication and materials, the prevention practices of dengue among the respondents may increase. The finding also shows that knowledge is not the only factor to promote the prevention practices and there is still a gap between knowledge and practice level.