Comparison of Socioeconomic Status and Human Related Factors Among Adults Between Hotspot and Non-Hotspot Areas of Dengue in Kuching and Samarahan, Sarawak

Ahmad Salimi, Abu Bakar (2020) Comparison of Socioeconomic Status and Human Related Factors Among Adults Between Hotspot and Non-Hotspot Areas of Dengue in Kuching and Samarahan, Sarawak. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

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Abstract

Despite the ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health in dengue control, it remains a public health issue in Kuching and Samarahan as the surge of the outbreak and increased number of hotspot areas. Human behaviour had contributed to the rising number of dengue cases. This study aims to compare socioeconomic status, risk perception, knowledge, attitude, and practice among the communities in dengue hotspot and non-hotspot areas. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the hotspot and non-hotspot areas in Kuching and Samarahan. One-hundred-and-two respondents were randomly selected to answer the selfadministered questionnaire. Desired socioeconomic characteristics, risk perception, knowledge, attitude, and practices towards dengue prevention were compared using Chi-Square test, independent sample t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as appropriate. Finally, risk perception, knowledge, attitude, and practice were correlated using Pearson correlation. Results: People living in the hotspot area had lower household income and educations levels compared to people living in the non-hotspot area; still, they have a better attitude (p-value: <0.05). In this study, females showed better in prevention practice than males (p-value: <0.05) but no significant differences in risk perception, knowledge, and attitude. Concerning the level of education, this study findings show a better attitude among people with a higher education level than people with-lower education levels (p-value: <0.01). Also, people with higher risk perception tend to have better knowledge and attitude towards dengue (p-value: <0.01). Similarly, people with higher education will also show a better attitude (p-value: <0.01). However, there is no correlation between risk perception, knowledge, and attitude toward dengue preventive practices. Conclusion: Therefore, dengue prevention activities should focus on communities with lower household income and lower education levels. Strengthening intersectoral collaboration is suggested to increase the economic status and level of education of the communities.

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