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Has Zika Been Forgotten? Findings From Nationwide Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Mosquito Preventive Practices in Malaysia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2022

Li Ping Wong Open the ORCID record for Li Ping Wong [Opens in a new window] ,
Haridah Alias ,
Hai Yen Lee Open the ORCID record for Hai Yen Lee [Opens in a new window]  and
Sazaly AbuBakar
Li Ping Wong*
Affiliation:
Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Haridah Alias
Affiliation:
Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hai Yen Lee
Affiliation:
Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Educational Centre (TIDREC), Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HiCOE), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Sazaly AbuBakar*
Affiliation:
Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Educational Centre (TIDREC), Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HiCOE), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
*
Corresponding authors: Li Ping Wong, Email: wonglp@ummc.edu.my; Sazaly AbuBakar, Email: sazaly@ummc.edu.my.
Corresponding authors: Li Ping Wong, Email: wonglp@ummc.edu.my; Sazaly AbuBakar, Email: sazaly@ummc.edu.my.
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Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and attitudes toward Zika virus disease (ZVD) as well as mosquito prevention practices in Malaysia at a nationwide level.

Methods:

Computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) were conducted between June 2019 and February 2020.

Results:

There are gaps in knowledge about the symptoms, mode of transmission, and risk of microcephaly. The mean for the Zika-related knowledge score was 5.9 (SD ± 4.4) out of a possible score of 14. The majority perceived little or no risk of getting ZVD (75.0%) and 75.5% were a little or not at all worried about ZVD. A high proportion reported the use of insect sprays or mosquito coils to prevent mosquito bites; however, a relatively lower proportion of people reported fixing mosquito netting on doors and windows, and using mosquito bed nets. The mean for the mosquito prevention practices score was 11.9 (SD ± 4.7) out of a possible score of 27. Important factors influencing mosquito prevention practices include household income, environment factors, risk perception, and Zika-related knowledge.

Conclusion:

Zika prevention measures should be targeted in priority toward residents in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Campaigns should focus on messages highlighting the high risk of getting dengue.

Keywords

knowledgepost-pandemicpreventionZika
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e131
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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