Publication: Knowledge and preventive practices on dengue fever among residents in Klang Selangor
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2026-08
Authors
Anuar, Siti Nuraini Saipul
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Dengue fever remains a significant public health concern in Malaysia, particularly in highly urbanised states such as Selangor, where the incidence of dengue continues to increase despite ongoing prevention and control efforts. Community knowledge and preventive practices play an important role in reducing dengue transmission and supporting effective disease control measures. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge regarding dengue fever, assess the level of dengue prevention practices, and identify the association between knowledge and preventive practices among residents in Klang, Selangor. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were collected from January 2026 to March 2026 using a self-administered online questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. A total of 182 residents from Klang, Selangor participated in the study through convenience sampling. The questionnaire consisted of three sections, namely socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge regarding dengue fever, and dengue prevention practices. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. The association between knowledge level and preventive practices was examined using the Chi-square test. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding dengue fever (56.0%), followed by a high level of knowledge (39.6%), while only 4.4% exhibited poor knowledge. Most respondents were knowledgeable about dengue symptoms, modes of transmission, mosquito breeding sites, and preventive measures. In terms of dengue prevention practices, the majority of respondents demonstrated a fair level of practice (57.1%), followed by good practice (33.0%), whereas 9.9% demonstrated poor preventive practices. Environmental management measures such as eliminating stagnant water, covering water containers, and cleaning garbage around the house were among the most commonly practiced preventive activities. Furthermore, a statistically significant association was found between knowledge level and dengue prevention practices among residents in Klang, Selangor (χ² = 82.928, df = 4, p < 0.001). In conclusion, residents in Klang, Selangor generally possessed moderate to high levels of knowledge regarding dengue fever and demonstrated fair levels of dengue prevention practices. Knowledge was found to be significantly associated with preventive practices, suggesting that improved knowledge may contribute to better dengue prevention behaviours. However, knowledge alone may not be sufficient to ensure optimal preventive practices. Therefore, continuous health education, behavioural interventions, and community participation are essential to strengthen dengue prevention efforts and reduce the burden of dengue fever within the community.
Description
Keywords
-