Impact of Knowledge and Attitude on Preventive Practice Regarding Dengue Fever among Residents in Dasmariñas City, Cavite: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Abstract

Dengue has been considered one of the major health problems in the world. Philippines is one of the most affected countries of this epidemic disease during the year 2015. Dasmariñas City is one of the cities in the Philippines affected by dengue fever outbreak. This study aims to assess the current level and to identify the relationships between knowledge, attitude and preventive practice about dengue fever of the respondents within Dasmariñas City, Cavite. This study used purposive sampling in selecting respondents from ten barangays with the highest number of dengue cases during the year 2015. Survey questionnaires was used to gather information from 419 respondents about their demographic profile, involvement in health promotion and educational intervention, sources of information, knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice regarding dengue fever. The results of this study showed that most of the respondents have moderate knowledge level, positive attitude, and fair preventive practices. Preventive practice has a significant relationship with barangay, family income, health promotional activities and educational intervention, and received information. A structural equation model was developed, tested and fitted to the data well (chi-square= 81.960, df= 52, CFI= .947, TLI=.933, and RMSEA= .037). Furthermore, a positive attitude towards dengue fever had a positive impact on the dengue preventive practice of the residents in Dasmariñas, however high knowledge about dengue fever does not guarantee good practice of preventive measures.