.Zainol Akbar Zainal, Nurul Adilla Hayat@Jamaluddin, Fariza Fadzil and Nurul Ain Natasha Shah Rizan
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Cyberjaya, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia
Pharmacy Department, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
*Corresponding author email: zainol.akbar@cyberjaya.edu.my
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Dengue is one of the leading public health concerns in Malaysia which could lead to health complications and fatalities. Selangor has had the highest cases of dengue for the past few years. Up until June 2022, Sepang was reported as the district with 5th highest dengue cases in Selangor.
Objective(s): This cross-sectional survey aimed to identify the knowledge, practice and attitude (KAP) on dengue fever among pharmacy students at University of Cyberjaya, Sepang, Selangor.
Methodologies: Questionnaire were distributed to 274 students who have consented to participate in this study.
Results: The study found an overall good knowledge among the students (mean score 11.7 ± 1.25). Most of the respondents (63%) did not get involved in any health promotion activities on dengue. Other than that, 96% of the respondents indicated that they received the information about dengue fever and from the internet. Analysis using one-way ANOVA between respondents from all years of study found that there was a statistically significant difference in knowledge scores (p < 0.001). The study also found a statistically significant difference in both knowledge scores (p < 0.001) and attitudes (p=0.039) between students in clinical and non-clinical years. There was no statistically significant difference between females and males with regards the knowledge and attitude (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: This study concluded that the respondents had good knowledge, positive attitude and moderately good practice about dengue fever.
Keywords: Dengue fever; public health; KAP; students