Knowledge, attitude and prevention practices of garment factory workers regarding the largest Dengue outbreak on record in Bangladesh

Abstract

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, prevention practices (KAP) among the garment factory workers population in Bangladesh that suffered a historical dengue outbreak in 2019. A total of 400 participants were selected by simple random sampling and questionnaire‐based interviews were conducted. The average score of knowledge, attitude, and prevention practice were 8.33±2.35, 6.32±1.20, 6.31±1.50 respectively. Only 76 out of 400 participants (19%) scored above 10 (all university‐educated). Participant workers reported both negative and positive attitudes regarding dengue fever (DF). Negative attitudes included an expectation of increased mortality and strained family finances from DF attacks. A significantly high number of participants (92%) believed that death from DF was inevitable. Positive attitudes included optimism about DF eradication potentials and eagerness to help and donate blood to sick relatives. Participants primarily learned about the DF prevention from mass media (244/400; 61.0%) and social media (97/400; 24.25%). The most popular prevention measures adopted were mosquito‐repellent incense (344/400; 86.0%) and mosquito nets (389/400; 97.25%). While most participants (358/400; 89.5%) cleaned areas where mosquitos lay eggs, only169 out of 400 (42.25%) regularly treated with chemical sprays. Only 182 out of 400 (45.5%) reported receiving DF prevention training in the factory. Correlation between DF knowledge and education was statistically significant, as (r=0.38, p Correlation between DF knowledge and work experience was insignificant (r=0.01, p>0.01, n=398). Age and DF knowledge were not correlated (r=0.07, p>0.01, n=398). In conclusion, gaps in KAP for dengue could be addressed by government‐sponsored educational programs that utilize the power of mass/social media for dengue prevention and control. More KAP surveillance studies are needed for other sectors of the society.