Rufo S. Calixtro Jr1,2, Aldrin Riel T. Boyano3,4, Maria Nilda M. Muñoz1,5
Background: Dengue fever remains a pressing global health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, where urban and semi-urban communities face recurring outbreaks. In the Philippines, dengue is endemic and continues to pose significant threats to public health, particularly in densely populated areas like Santa Rosa, Laguna. This study assessed the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (AKAP) of adult residents in the City of Santa Rosa regarding dengue fever. It aimed to identify gaps in community understanding and behaviors to inform targeted, community-based interventions for sustainable dengue control.
Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in two high-incidence barangays—Tagapo and Dita. A total of 230 adult residents were selected through cluster sampling. Data were collected via a structured, pretested, interviewer-guided questionnaire translated into the local language. Variables such as AKAP were measured using validated scales. Data were encoded in Excel, cleaned in SPSS, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests, with significance set at P≤0.05.
Results: The majority of respondents demonstrated high awareness (43.48%), high knowledge (60.43%), positive attitudes (85.22%), and adequate dengue prevention practices (93.04%). However, disparities in knowledge were noted across gender, education, and income levels. A weak but statistically significant correlation was found between knowledge and practices (r=0.189, P=0.04), suggesting that information alone may not sufficiently drive behavior change.
Conclusions: Despite high overall AKAP scores, socioeconomic and educational disparities present significant barriers to equitable dengue prevention. As global urbanization intensifies and climate change expands mosquito habitats, localized risk communication strategies rooted in community engagement are critical. This study underscores the urgent need for inclusive public health interventions that address both informational and structural inequities to prevent future outbreaks—not just in Santa Rosa, but in vulnerable communities worldwide.
