A primary school-based dengue solution model for post-COVID-19 in southern Thailand: Students understanding of the dengue solution and larval indices surveillance system

One of the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown is that it hinders school-based dengue management interventions. This is due to the closure of schools and the limited availability of online lessons in certain schools. Conversely, the level of basic understanding that primary school children have about the condition is directly related to their likelihood of getting it and their ability to modify their behaviour to prevent it. Thus, the study aims to assess the understanding and develop a school-based model intervention for dengue solutions and larval indices surveillance systems suitable for primary schools. The study used a purposive and convenience technique to recruit participants in the Keawsan sub-district in Nabon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. An applied community participatory action research (CPAR) design was used to develop a school-based model intervention. The pre-test result shows that more than 90% and 100% of the students have a poor understanding of dengue solutions (UDS) and larval indices surveillance systems (ULISS), respectively. The students with good scores on UDS increased from 2.9% to 54.6% after the intervention, and there is still a prevalent lack of good understanding among more than 85% of the students on ULISS. Meanwhile, gender, class, and school significantly influence (p <0.05) UDS and ULISS among students in either the pre-test or post-test. Based on the thematic analysis, it was determined that the students had learned about dengue fever transmission, dengue mosquitoes, container index calculation, dengue symptoms, and how to prevent dengue mosquitoes, among other topics. Overall, it was discovered that the trained students could convey their knowledge of the dengue solution and the larval indices surveillance system to other students. We recommend that further ULISS training be provided for schoolchildren in more simple terms that they can understand.

Effectiveness of dengue training programmes on prevention and control among high school students in the Yangon region, Myanmar

Background

Dengue is one of the health problems in Myanmar. Thus, health promotion in schools is considered a key approach for reducing risk-taking behaviours related to dengue.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate a dengue training programme for high school students to measure changes in knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards dengue; evaluate the effectiveness of the programme in improving prevention and control practices among families and determining changes in larval indices in their dwelling places.

Methodology

The dengue school training programme was conducted for Grades 9 and 10 students in Yangon. In total, 300 students in the intervention school received training and were compared with 300 students as control. KAP was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, whereas larval and control practice surveys were conducted at the homes of both groups 3 months before and after the programme.

Results

The KAP scores of the intervention group increased after the programme. Moreover, the programme improved prevention and control practices and decreased the larval indices in the intervention group. Students from the same group with high scores in knowledge and self-reported practices were less likely to exhibit Aedes larval positivity in their residential areas.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the impact of the dengue training programme on the KAP of students and short-term family larval control practices, which influenced household larval indices.

Health education impact on knowledge and management of arboviral diseases in Kenya: Evidence from randomised control trials

Communities' knowledge and management strategies are crucial for mitigating and controlling the threat of existing and emerging diseases. In this study, we conducted randomised control trials (RCT) to examine the impact of health education on households' knowledge and management of three Arboviral Diseases (ADs); Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya fever, and Dengue fever in Kenya. The study was based on a sample of 629 households drawn from the three of Kenya's AD hotspot counties; Baringo, Kwale, and Kilifi. Employing a difference-in-difference method, our findings indicate that health education intervention significantly improved households' understanding of ADs transmission modes, causes, and prevention strategies. However, this intervention did not sufficiently influence households' disease management behaviour. We recommend the implementation of community engagement and outreach initiatives which have the potential to drive behavioural changes at the household level, thus enhancing the management and control of ADs in Kenya.

Effects of the Developing and Using a Model to Predict Dengue Risk Villages Based on Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Southern Thailand

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of developing and using a model to predict dengue risk in villages and of a larval indices surveillance system for 2372 households in 10 Thai villages. A community participatory action research method was used in five steps: (1) community preparation covering all stakeholders, (2) assessment of the understanding of a dengue solution and a larval indices surveillance system, (3) development of a prediction and intervention model for dengue risk villages, (4) implementation of the model that responds to all stakeholders, and (5) evaluation of the effects of using the model. The questionnaires to assess and evaluate were validated and reliability tested. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the quantitative data collected by means of questionnaires. Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data collected through interviews. The results found that the model consisted of six main activities, including (1) setting team leader responsibility, (2) situation assessment, (3) prediction of the dengue risk in villages, (4) the six steps of the larval indices surveillance system, (5) the understanding of the dengue solution and the understanding of the larval indices surveillance system training program, and (6) local wisdom innovation. The effects of using the model showed a statistically significant increase in correct understanding among 932 family leaders, 109 village health volunteers, and 59 student leaders regarding dengue prevention and control (p < 0.05). The larval indices and dengue morbidity were diminished and related to the nine themes present in the community leaders' reflections and to the satisfaction of the community members. Hence, local administrative organizations should use community-based approaches as the subdistrict dengue solution innovation to reduce the dengue problem.

Effectiveness of School-Based Video-Assisted Health Education Program on Mosquito-Borne Disease among Upper Primary Children

Introduction Malaria and dengue fever are the two major mosquito-borne diseases (MBD) seen in India and these diseases are endemic in many of the Indian states. Educating the public is one of the effective ways to prevent any diseases and school children act as health messengers to their family members. Video-assisted teaching methods help the children to understand the concept better and grasp it easily. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of school-based video-assisted health education on knowledge regarding MBD.

Materials and Methods The study design used was cross-sectional one group pre- and posttest design. Ninety-five children studying in 6th and 7th standard of two higher primary schools located in a rural area of southern India have participated in the study. The knowledge level of the children was assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire before and after the video-assisted health education program. Children were educated using PowerPoints and videos in three sessions on various aspects of MBD.

Statistical Analysis Data was analyzed using a statistical software, SPSS-23. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results The mean score was 23.58 ± 7.08 in the pretest and the posttest mean score was 53.01 ± 3.90. The minimum score was 13 in the pretest and in the posttest it was 44 with a maximum possible score of 60. Intervention was effective and led to 49.05% of gain in knowledge of children from pretest to the posttest and the difference in the mean value was statistically significant (t = 36.58, p < 0.001).

Conclusion Even though children had the knowledge on MBD, it was not adequate and video-assisted health education was useful to improve their knowledge. More consistent efforts are needed to educate the children on different health issues using various sense stimulating teaching aids to help them develop into healthy future generation.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards dengue prevention among primary school children with and without experience of previous dengue infection in southern Thailand

To develop more effective intervention strategies against dengue, it is necessary to identify determinants of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), which may be influenced by the dengue experiences of the population at risk. The aim of this study was to assess and compare KAP regarding dengue prevention between Thai primary school children with and without experiences of dengue. A cross-sectional study was conducted among children between ages 8 and 13, attending the 50 public primary schools in Kanchanadit district, between October and November 2019. A 32-item questionnaire was used to collect children's socio-demographic characteristics (4 items), health information (2 items), knowledge (10 items), attitudes (7 items), and practices (9 items) towards dengue prevention, which required 30 min to complete. The KAP between groups was then statistically compared, to identify possible causes of observed differences. Of 1979 children, 15.6% self-reported that they had been infected with dengue, while 84.4% had no history of the disease. Most children indicated that they obtained dengue-related information from primary school teachers (73.6%) and their parents (68.5%). No statistically significant differences in mean KAP scores were observed between children with and without dengue experiences (P > 0.05). When KAP scores were categorized as good or poor levels, based on an 80% cut-off, 12.3% of all children had good dengue-related knowledge, 41.6% had good attitudes, and 25.9% reported good preventive practices. Dengue experience was significantly and positively associated with exercising good preventive practices (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.75, P = 0.031). There were significant positive correlations between attitudes and practices in both children with and without dengue experiences (P < 0.001). To enhance KAP towards dengue prevention, further efforts are needed to increase routine dengue health education programs for primary school students who have and have not experienced dengue, and to improve health education programs within communities, especially to assist guardians with the dissemination of dengue literature.

School-based health education for dengue control in Kelantan, Malaysia: Impact on knowledge, attitude and practice

The massive flood in Malaysia’s east coast in December 2014 has placed Kelantan in a possible dengue outbreak risk. At this point, community awareness is essential in preventing disease spread. However, no data on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of dengue in Kelantan have existed in relevance to flood disaster, although such information is necessary for the vector control programs. The purpose of this study is to assess the KAP regarding dengue among school children from flooded and unflooded areas and to evaluate the effectiveness of the dengue health education program in improving their KAP level. A school-based pre- and post-tests design was utilized in this study whereby a booklet on dengue was distributed during the interphase of the tests. The information collected was on the socio-demographic, KAP and the source of dengue information. We statistically compared the KAP between the two study sites and the pre- and post-test scores to evaluate the health education program. A total of 203 students participated in the survey, and 51.7% of them were flood victims. When comparing the baseline KAP, the respondents from the unflooded area had higher knowledge scores compared to those from the flooded area (P<0.05), while non-significant differences were observed in the attitude and practice between the two study areas (P>0.05). The health education program significantly improved knowledge and practice in the flooded area and knowledge only in the unflooded area (P<0.05). The multinomial regression analysis suggests that age and dengue history are the primary determinants that influence the high practice level in both areas. We suggest the need to increase routine dengue health education programs to all age groups targeting both high and low dengue risk areas, and the necessity to ensure the translation of positive knowledge and attitude changes into real dengue preventive practices.

The KAP research design is widely used in diagnosing the current awareness of any diseases and to evaluate the efficiency of any health-related treatments or intervention programs. Until date, such KAP assessment and health education programs regarding dengue in the disaster-affected region are relatively rare, especially in Malaysia. Providing health education to the community is as important as other vector control strategies such as source reduction and insecticide spraying because none of these will be successful without community involvement is disease prevention. The massive flood that struck the east coast region of Malaysia poses a possible threat in Kelantan for dengue transmission. Dengue KAP assessment associated with health education for the community at risk is essential to find the gaps in the community and also to ensure their understanding in vector biology, disease spread mechanisms and key behaviors that need to be adopted in order to prevent the spread of dengue. The study provides useful content and knowledge that could guide local authorities and health officials to plan and execute health education programs to disaster-affected populations and also unaffected populations to prevent and control dengue.

Effect of Education on Improving Knowledge and Behavior for Arboviral Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Arboviral diseases are responsible for a high burden of disease in humans, and a significant part of disease risk reduction efforts relies on vector control methods. The elimination of potential breeding sites for the mosquito vectors and a higher level of literacy by the populations at risk could present a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution. This review aims to assess the efficacy of educational interventions for arboviral diseases on knowledge and self-reported behavior. A systematic literature search was performed using Cochrane, EMBASE, Global Health, and PubMed. References of articles retrieved were searched manually for further studies. Critical appraisal of the selected articles was performed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool, and studies with a control group were further assessed through the Cochrane's risk of bias tool. A summary narrative of the results and a meta-analysis was conducted. Fourteen studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Overall, there was an increase in knowledge and in self-reported adoption of protective measures. No effect was found using solely printed material. A meta-analysis was performed separately for the two outcomes measured, which produced a mean standardized difference of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.33-2.39) in knowledge scores compared with the control groups. Regarding the self-reported protective behavior, the results show a summary value of odds ratio of 5.23 (95% CI: 3.09-7.36). Most of the educational interventions had a positive impact on knowledge and self-reported adoption of protective measures. More research producing stronger evidence and evaluating long-term impact is needed.