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Knowledge, attitudes and practices on leptospirosis prevention among local communities in Jempol district, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia


Citation

Shing, Wei Ng and Selvarajah, Gayathri Thevi and Bejo, Siti Khairani and Safii, Razitasham and Muhamad Saliluddin, Suhainizam and Mohamad Gobil, Abdul Rahman and Amin Nordin, Syafinaz (2019) Knowledge, attitudes and practices on leptospirosis prevention among local communities in Jempol district, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 50 (3). pp. 554-565. ISSN 0125-1562; EISSN: 2697-5718

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a major public health problem in Malaysia. We aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding leptospirosis and its prevention among subjects in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, a leptospirosis-prone area, in order to inform leptospirosis control and prevention programs. We conducted a cross-sectional study among randomly selected residents in Jempol District, Negeri Sembilan from July 2017 until September 2017. Each subject was intervened using a validated close-ended questionnaire asking about demographics and KAP about leptospirosis and its prevention. Inclusion criteria were those aged ≥18 years residing in the study area who were willing to participate in the study. A total of 260 subjects were included in and completed the questionnaire (61.1% females). Twenty-five percent of subjects had never heard of leptospirosis. Of those who had heard of leptospirosis, 41.2% had a good knowledge level about it. Ninety-three point five percent, 99.2% and 87.7% of subjects had a satisfactory attitude level, a satisfactory general practice level and a satisfactory safe work practice level regarding leptospirosis prevention. There was a significant association between general safe work practices and gender (p< 0.05). In summary, one-fourth of subjects knew nothing about leptospirosis or its prevention. Of those who knew about leptospirosis, KAP levels were relatively high. Leptospirosis control and prevention program in the study area need to continue to try to reach more of the study population. Further studies are needed to determine how best to reach the remaining quarter of the population in the study area who are not aware of leptospirosis and its prevention.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Publisher: Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network
Keywords: Attitude; Knowledge; Practice; Leptospirosis
Depositing User: Mohamad Jefri Mohamed Fauzi
Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2021 22:32
Last Modified: 23 Sep 2021 22:32
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/81187
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

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