ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess dengue related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among caretakers of elementary school children in Thailand. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and duration of the Study: Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, in April 2012 Methods: Data on socio-demographic characteristics, sources of information; knowledge; attitudes and practices related to dengue were sought from a random sample of 640 caretakers. Logistic regression was performed to explore factors associated with dengue-related knowledge, attitude and practices. Results: Of the 640 respondents invited to participate in the study, 628 (98.1%) returned completed questionnaires. Mass media (76.7%) and healthcare facilities (67.4%) were the most common sources of information on dengue. Only 37.8% of caretakers had high levels of knowledge of dengue; caretakers with post-secondary education were more likely to have higher knowledge than those with primary education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–3.31). Caretakers with a family annual income greater than 6,400 US $ were more likely to have higher knowledge compared to those with an income less than 1,600 US $ (aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.16–3.23). Dengue knowledge was not significantly associated with caretaker age, sex, marital status, or occupation. Attitudes towards dengue prevention were moderate but not significantly associated with any particular factor. Civil servants were less likely to use mosquito repellent compared to factory workers (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.20–0.10). Most caretakers (80.7%) had discussed dengue with their children in the past 6 months. Conclusion: Knowledge of dengue among school children’s caretakers was low. This needs improvement, especially in caretakers with low income and/or education. Attitude towards dengue was moderate and most caretakers were practising dengue prevention. Dengue prevention interventions among children, that involve caretakers, may require improving knowledge and attitude towards dengue among the caretakers.