Evaluation Of Dengue Fever Knowledge Among The General Population And Its Prevalence, Clinical Features In Penang General Hospital
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Date
2009-12
Authors
Wazir, Khurshid Alam
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
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<0.001) 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.
Description
Keywords
Evaluation of dengue fever knowledge , among the General population in Penang general hospital