Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Dengue Fever, Vector Control, and Vaccine Acceptance Among the General Population in Countries from Latin America and Asia Pacific: A Cross Sectional Study (GEMKAP)

his study, published in Vaccines, explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards dengue, vector control, prevention, and vaccination in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

A cross-sectional, quantitative, electronic survey was administered to a nationally representative adult population (n=3800) in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation for Behaviour Change (COM-B) framework was used to identify factors correlated with dengue vaccine(s) uptake.

Findings show that there was a low global score for Knowledge (48%) and Practice (44%), and a moderate score for Attitude (66%); scores were comparable across countries. Of all respondents, 53% had a high willingness (scoring 8-10/10) to vaccinate against dengue, which was higher at 59% in Latin America countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico) than in Asia Pacific countries at 40% (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore). Key factors significantly (p<0.05) associated with increased willingness to vaccinate included accessibility to the public (subsidies and incentives) and trust in the healthcare system and government.

A common approach to dengue prevention across endemic countries – with some country-specific customisation such as education, vaccination, and vector control (multi-pronged) – may reduce dengue burden and improve outcomes.

This study was jointly co-authored by Joanne Yoong (RFI), Asrul Akmal Shafie (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Edson Duarte Moreira (Brazilian Ministry of Health), Alberta Di Pasquale (Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG Singapore Branch), and Dirk Demuth (Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG Singapore Branch).

Read the full study at https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/3/575