A cross-sectional study: Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) and risk factors on dengue fever among children in Eastern India.

Introduction: Dengue fever, a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes, is linked to four serotypes of the dengue virus. Among those susceptible to infection, children face heightened vulnerability, and the risk of severe dengue disease is particularly pronounced in infants and children, especially those who have encountered a different dengue serotype in the past. To effectively prevent and control dengue, possessing sufficient knowledge, maintaining positive attitudes, and adopting proper practices (KAP) are imperative. This research seeks to gauge the prevalence of dengue among participants and explore the correlation between households' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dengue (KAP) and the likelihood of children testing positive for dengue antibodies. The study aims to account for socioeconomic and demographic variations, providing insights into the multifaceted factors influencing dengue among children in India. Methodology: This analysis drew upon data obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted inWest Bengal, India, spanning from November 2022 to October 2023. The study encompassed 392 households and 483 participating children. Results: The study revealed a crude dengue of 25.1% among the participating children (n=483). Analysis of household KAP scores indicated that 5% of households achieved scores exceeding 75%, while the majority fell within the range of 50% to 75% (n=271, 69%), and 101 households scored below 50% (26%). Notably, each KAP domain exhibited a significant and positive association with the others. Conclusions: The findings from our study offer valuable insights into the prevalence of dengue among children in West Bengal, India. Shedding light on specific demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with the risk of dengue in this population. Interestingly, our results indicate that relying solely on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) may not effectively pinpoint individuals at a higher risk of dengue infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]