Knowledge and Prevention Practices of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Among Parents and Caregivers in Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is mainly caused by Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and human Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71). Severe cases of HFMD were reported in Malaysia in 2018, which led to a temporary closing of few nurseries and preschools. A good knowledge and prevention practices is one of the important factors that can effectively decelerate this rapid outbreak of HFMD. Therefore, we conducted a survey to assess current knowledge and prevention practices among parents and caregivers in Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted on 345 residences of Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor. It comprised of 77.4% (n=267) parents and 22.6% (n=78) caregivers from different daycares, kindergartens and preschools. The study showed that the majority, 87.2% (n=301) of Bandar Puncak Alam residents, Selangor have a moderate level of knowledge on HFMD. No significant difference in knowledge was found between parents and caregivers (p = 0.553). Age, occupation, level of education, and income of respondents influenced the HFMD knowledge level (p<0.05). Most parents and caregivers know how to prevent HFMD by practising cleaning the children's toys using liquid disinfection, but they are still lacking knowledge on the role of handwashing in preventing HFMD. In conclusion, the lack of prevention practice among parents and caregivers would increase the cases of HFMD. Therefore, a proper education of HFMD should be done to increase the awareness towards the prevention practices to prevent HFMD from reoccurring.

The knowledge, attitudes and practices of hand, foot, and mouth disease prevention strategies amongst parents and educators of children under 5 years amidst COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

“…Given the importance of good personal and environmental hygiene practises for HFMD prevention, it is important that the main caregivers of the most susceptible group—children aged under 5 years—have accurate knowledge and receptive attitudes towards HFMD and its prevention strategies. However, there are mixed observations on the plausible association between knowledge and attitudes towards actual practise of HFMD-PS from studies in Malaysia, Thailand, and China (as further discussed in later sections) ( 8 – 12 ). Within Singapore, an exploration of the knowledge, and attitudes towards and practise (KAP) of good hand hygiene practises for preventing gastrointestinal diseases, another infectious disease with similar transmission pathways to HFMD, found a gap between having good knowledge and attitudes towards good hand hygiene practises, to actual practise in reality ( 13 ).…”

Evaluating Health Education Module on Hand, Food, and Mouth Diseases Among Preschoolers in Malacca, Malaysia

“…According to previous studies, parents' age was a significant covariate of parents' knowledge of hand hygiene ( 20 , 21 ). Mansur and Ahmad ( 20 ) reported parents aged 46 to 50 years old had more favorable knowledge compared to younger parents ( p < 0.001).…”

“…According to previous studies, parents' age was a significant covariate of parents' knowledge of hand hygiene ( 20 , 21 ). Mansur and Ahmad ( 20 ) reported parents aged 46 to 50 years old had more favorable knowledge compared to younger parents ( p < 0.001). Otherwise, the age of the youngest child, location of residence and presence of active smokers were associated with HFMD incidence, but not the outcomes of this study.…”

The Effect of Health Education Based on Islamic Teachings on Knowledge Level of Toddlers’ Parents Regarding Singapore Flu

“…The result of the research by Mansur & Ahmad (2021) mean level of knowledge is that health workers have never been given health education related to the Singapore flu. This is in line with the research by Negara & Prabowo (2018) which stated that there is no effect between education and knowledge.…”

“…In addition, the level of education that is not too diverse, namely only two categories of high school and diploma/bachelor is one of the supporting factors for easy acceptance of knowledge through health education. Mansur & Ahmad (2021) stated that the age, occupation, education level, and income of respondents affected the level of knowledge of HFMD (p<0.05). This is in line with the research of Negara & Prabowo (2018) which stated that there is an influence between age and knowledge.…”