Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: February | Volume: 7 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 376-380
Study on Knowledge and Practice Regarding Dengue among Medical Students in Kolkata, West Bengal
Prasanta Ray Karmakar1, Sudhansu Saharay2
1Associate Professor, Community Medicine, Raiganj Government Medical College & Hospital, Raiganj, India
2 Medical Officer, Kurseong Subdivisional Hospital, Kurseong, West Bengal, India
Corresponding Author: Prasanta Ray Karmakar
ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue is an acute arboviral disease caused by dengue virus. The incidence of dengue has increased several folds in recent years. It is usually not fatal, but sometimes with hemorrhagic complication it can cause death. To organise any program for behaviour change it is very important to know the current knowledge and practice of the people about dengue.
Method: a cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among the students of a medical college in Kolkata, India. Data were collected with the help of pre designed structured questionnaire. Data on demographic characteristics of the students and their knowledge and practices were collected.
Result: Majority knew correctly about causative agent, season of occurrence, breeding place of vector mosquito, reservoir of infection, case fatality, recurrence of infection and non availability of specific treatment. But, they had misconception about mode of transmission in dengue. They also have good knowledge about different preventive measures. Their own practice was not satisfactory considering their knowledge. But, practice score was better in student exposed to dengue.
Conclusion: The medical students had good knowledge but their knowledge was not translated into proper action. There is need for behaviour change communication for prevention and control of dengue in the community.
Keywords: Dengue, knowledge, Practice, medical students
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