Abstract

SOUZA, Verena Maria Mendes de et al. Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards dengue in the Municipality of Pedro Canário, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, 2009: an updated profile. Rev Pan-Amaz Saude [online]. 2012, vol.3, n.1, pp.37-43. ISSN 2176-6215.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S2176-62232012000100006.

In January 2009, the Municipality of Pedro Canário, Espírito Santos State, Brazil, requested official aid from the Ministry of Health to investigate an outbreak of leptospirosis. The investigation informed that it was actually an outbreak of dengue. In order to guide preventive and controlling measures, a descriptive study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the adult inhabitants in two districts of the Municipality was conducted. About 80% of the interviewees know what dengue is, and 70% reported they take some action to prevent infection and that they believe prevention is the society's responsibility. Potential breeding sites of Aedes aegypti were identified in approximately 10% of the houses of interviewees who said they were aware of how to prevent dengue. The inhabitants are aware and well-informed about the seriousness of the disease, its signs and symptoms, the preventive actions to be taken, and their responsibility in controlling the vector. Nevertheless, the knowledge and attitudes reported do not correspond to their actual preventive actions against the disease.

Keywords : Health Knowledge; Attitudes; Practice; Dengue; Disease Outbreaks; Aedes; Vector Control.

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