Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of Dengue Fever in Thailand: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Dengue fever cases are on the rise in Thailand with increases in flooding events. Studies pertaining to public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dengue prevention have frequently been used to better understand the publics' needs towards dengue. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of past dengue KAP studies in Thailand. Criteria were developed to determine eligibility, and reviewers independently applied these criteria to identify the 9 eligible studies for the systematic review and the 3 eligible studies for the meta-analysis. Results suggest that the majority of the studies included in the systematic review reported overall low knowledge levels towards dengue prevention in Thailand. This finding was affirmed by the meta-analysis, which concluded that the overall estimate of the proportion of participants with high knowledge of dengue prevention is only 35% (95% CI: 14%-59%). Most of the studies included in the systematic review reported positive attitudes towards dengue prevention, and this finding was also affirmed by the meta-analysis, which concluded that the pooled estimate of the proportion of positive attitudes towards dengue prevention is 61% (95% CI: 43%-77%). Lastly, the majority of studies in the systematic review reported overall poor practices towards dengue prevention. Similarly, the meta-analysis found that the pooled estimate of the proportion of good practices for preventing dengue infection is only 25% (95% CI: 22%-27%).