Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards dengue fever among medical students in Sudan: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever, a neglected tropical disease, exhibits a total seroprevalence of 27% in Sudan. During the recent outbreak, medical students actively participated in health education and community outreach programs. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of medical students regarding Dengue Fever (DF) during its current outbreak in Sudan. Design and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving medical students from more than 15 Sudanese universities, encompassing 11 states. Data collection took place between October 23 and November 10, 2023, utilizing a Google Form questionnaire. A convenient sampling technique was employed to reach students due to its accessibility and feasibility during the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify predictors of KAP and establish associations between KAP domains and socio-demographic factors. Results: Of 694 medical students, 11% reported a previous infection with DF. Among the participants, 58% demonstrated good knowledge, 74.1% exhibited a positive attitude, and less than half (46.7%) demonstrated good preventive practices. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude levels with the practice level (p < 0.001). Gender, age, and previous DF infection emerged as significant predictors (p < 0.05) of the overall KAP level in multiple logistic regression. Conclusions: Our study revealed a commendable level of knowledge and attitude but a suboptimal level of practice regarding DF among medical students. This inadequacy in practice, particularly among medical students who are expected to set an example, is concerning and warrants further investigation.