276 IJSR - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Volume : 5 | Issue : 2 | February 2016 • ISSN No 2277 - 8179 Research Paper Medical Science Dr.J. Ezhil Ramya Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Tirunelveli medical college, Tirunelveli-11 Dr B.Meenakshi Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Tirunelveli medical college, Tirunelveli-11 Dr. V.Caroline Vinod Hospital, Near New Bus Stand, Marthandam-629165, Kanyakumari District. Dengue Fever- Awareness And Knowledge Among People In A Dengue Prevalent Area KEYWORDS : Dengue fever, Dengue awareness, prevention ABSTRACT Dengue is a disease of public health importance. Tis study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge, at- titude and practices regarding dengue fever in dengue prevalent areas. A structured questionnaire was administered through a face-to-face unprompted interview to 252 people. Te questionnaire had four parts- socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge and preventive practices. Te study revealed that only (53.2%) were aware of dengue fever, Relatives and friends were the source of information (41.8% of those who are aware). 28.6% had good 46.8% average, and 24.6% poor knowledge. Preventive practices focused towards prevention of mosquito bites 67.5%, rather than eradication of mosquito. Based on statistical analysis it is found that males and urban population are comparatively more aware than females and rural population. Conclusion: Majority of the respondents had only average knowledge and did not adapt any preventive practices highlighting the need for dengue awareness programs. INTRODUCTION: Dengue presents as a spectrum of increasingly severe clinical manifestations, ranging from classic Dengue Fever (DF) to Den- gue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) to the most severe form Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) . Dengue fever has recently re-emerged globally as the most important arboviral disease (Egger et al 2008) The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease carrying mosquitoes.. There is no specifc medicine and only proper and early supportive treatment can re- lieve the symptoms and prevent complications and death (Nepal Health Research Council 2011). The epidemiology and ecology of Dengue fever are strongly as- sociated with human habits. Thus evaluation of people’s knowl- edge, attitude and practices is of great importance to improve in- tegrated control measures (Degallier et al 2011). OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the awareness, knowledge and practices regarding dengue fever among people of Tirunelveli which had recent outbreaks of Dengue Fever. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Te cross sectional study was commenced from November 1, 2015 to December 1, 2015 and 252 subjects above 18 years were incorporated in the study. Te data were collected using face to face interview technique. Inclusion Criteria: Te subjects of either sex were included who were willing. Exclusion Criteria: Te subjects who were seriously ill or not willing to participate in the study were excluded. Ethical Consideration: Te study was conducted after the ap- proval of the Institutional Ethics Committee. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics like percentage mean as well as inferential statistics like chi-square was used for analysis. To compare the level of awareness between urban and rural population; males and females and also between diferent age groups, t-test was employed and the signifcant p-value set as 0.05. Te questionnaire was divided into four parts. Te frst part cov- ered socio demographic characteristics; the second part about their awareness, the third part contained 9 questions regarding knowledge about dengue fever including modes of transmis- sion, vector and symptoms. For each correct answer, a value of 1 point was given so that the total score would be 9. A score of 6 and above was considered ‘good knowledge’; a score between 3 and 6 was considered ‘average knowledge’ and score below 3 as ‘poor knowledge’. Te fourth part of the questionnaire was used to evaluate the dengue prevention practices. RESULTS: Among the 252 respondents, 126 (50%) were males and 126 (50%) were females. Te mean age of the population is 45 years (±14 years). About the educational status, many (n=65, 25.8%) have fnished primary schooling only. Only a very few people (n=31, 12.2%) have crossed 12 th standard. 117 (46.4%) individu- als were from urban areas and 135 (53.6%) individuals were from rural areas. Te socio-demographic features of the study popula- tion are shown in Table 1 TABLE 1 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS FACTOR NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE (%) SEX Males Females AGE GROUP 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 EDUCATIONAL STATUS Uneducated 1 st -5 th 6 th -8 th 9 th , 10 th 11 th , 12 th Degree AREA OF RESIDENCE Rural Urban 126 126 37 57 52 60 39 7 51 65 54 51 13 18 135 117 50 50 14.7 22.6 20.6 23.8 15.9 2.4 20.2 25.8 21.4 20.2 5.1 7.1 53.6 46.4 Nearly 118 (46.8%) of the study population had never heard of dengue fever and are completely unaware. Te levels of aware- ness between males and females, urban and rural population, and between diferent age groups were compared using chi-