Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dengue disease among healthcare professionals in southern Taiwan

Background/PurposePrimary physicians and nurses serve as the first-line health care providers of dengue virus infection diagnosis, notification, and treatment. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among primary healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding dengue diseases may pace alarm and improve the outcome of dengue control.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using a structured quiz in 264 HCPs (response rate, 76%) was conducted in Tainan City in southern Taiwan. The quiz consisted of 10 questions regarding the control measures, notification, and clinical practices of dengue diseases. Scores of KAP and demographic characteristics of HCPs were analyzed.ResultsOne hundred thirty-four physicians and 130 nurses comprise the 264 HCP responders. Forty-three physicians (32%) and 80 nurses (61.5%) were practicing in medical centers, and they scored higher than nonmedical center peers on quizzes on notification (1.18 vs. 0.93 points, p < 0.01) but lower on control measures (3.52 vs. 3.22 points, p < 0.01). Fifty-seven physicians (42.5%) were experienced in reporting suspected dengue cases, and 13.1% of nurses had reported dengue cases. Three-fourths of HCPs failed to respond to the timing of dengue case notification, whereas nurses scored higher than physicians (0.34 vs. 0.16, p < 0.01). In addition, 57.2% of the HCPs failed to respond correctly to the timing of typical skin rashes occurring in the patients with dengue. More than half of the HCPs considered Taiwan an endemic area of dengue diseases.ConclusionThis pilot study showed a lack of acquaintance with notification timing and important clinical features of dengue among HCPs in southern Taiwan. Future continued medical/nursing education should place more emphasis on these factors to improve dengue control in this demographic area.