Evaluation of dengue fever knowledge among the general population and its prevalence, clinical features in Penang General Hospital
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Date
2009
Authors
Alam Wazir, Khurshid
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Abstract
Dengue is one of the most important global public health problem, particularly in
South East Asian countries. Despite the presence of the disease in Penang since 1902,
no documented evidence existed on the knowledge of dengue among the general
population. The current resurgence of the disease necessitates an evaluation of public
knowledge, prevalence, clinical features and fluid management of dengue in Penang.
In cross-sectional study data were collected from the general population to asses the
knowledge. A total of 862 respondents of the population were participated in the
study.Majority (97.2%) of the population were familiar with the disease dengue. Over
all knowledge about dengue and aedes mosquito was found adequate. In terms of
races knowledge on dengue was found significantly higher in Malays than the other
races. Knowledge on isolated aspects like preventive measures and symptoms of
dengue was found to be high with significant association (P=0.030 and P=0.031)
respectively, with increasing age groups. A positive association was found between
knowledge and education. On gender base female shown good knowledge compared
to male. In this study the teenagers, private, unemployed people and in terms of
gender male had significantly insufficient knowledge and need a special attention and
to encourage these groups for meaningful participation in future health education
programes regarding dengue. In retrospective study a total of 756 in patients of
dengue were observed admitted to the medical ward in General Hospital during the
period January 2007 to December 2007 and found that the children and adults both
were affected of dengue. The clinical features fever, petechial rashes, positive Hess
test, epigastric pain the rise of white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin, haematocrit
and thrombocytopenia found a significant (P<O.OOl) association with dengue. All
patients were survived except one who was found to be died of dengue shock
syndrome and circulatory failure. Dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever and
dengue shock syndrome should be considered in a differential diagnosis of febrile
illness in patients. To avoid complications, management of intravenous fluids is
mandatory to administer with special technique to avoid over load of fluids both in
children as well as in adults.
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Keywords
Dengue fever , General population