Citation
Abdullah, Nurul Munirah and Wan Mohammad, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin and Shafei, Mohd Nazri and Sukeri, Surianti and Idris, Zawaha and Arifin, Wan Nor and Nozmi, Noramira and Saudi, Siti Nor Sakinah and Samsudin, Suhailah and Zainudin, Abdul-Wahab and Awang Hamat, Rukman and Ibrahim, Rosni and Masri, Siti Norbaya and Saliluddin, Muhamad Suhainizam and Daud, Aziah and Osman, Malina and Tengku Jamaluddin, Tengku Zetty Maztura
(2019)
Leptospirosis and its prevention: knowledge, attitude and practice of urban community in Selangor, Malaysia.
BMC Public Health, 19.
art. no. 628.
pp. 1-8.
ISSN 1471-2458
Abstract
Background: Leptospirosis is still endemic in Malaysia and has been prevalent in Selangor where cases have been underreported. Primarily, this was due to lack of awareness in the urban community in this region. This study determined the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice (KAP) of leptospirosis, and identified the significant predictors influencing KAP among urban community in Hulu Langat, Selangor. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 using validated questionnaire. Sampling methods included multistage cluster sampling, followed by simple random sampling to obtain 315 respondents. Descriptive analysis was performed to determine the KAP while χ 2 and the subsequent logistic regression analysis were carried out to identify associations and predictors between variables. Results: Respondents were mainly Malaysian Bumiputra with a mean (Standard Deviation (SD)) age of 32.5 (13.0) years. Of 315 respondents, 80.3% (n = 253) had poor knowledge, 87.0% (n = 274) had good attitude, and 81.3% (n =256) showed unacceptable practice towards leptospirosis and its prevention. Regression analysis identified age as the sole predictor influencing good knowledge (AOR 2.388; 95% CI = 1.298, 4.396; p = 0.005). Education level (AOR 2. 197; 95% CI = 1.109, 4.352; p = 0.024) was also noted as the significant predictor influencing the overall practice. Conclusions: The urban community in Selangor showed a positive attitude in waste management despite having little knowledge regarding the disease itself. The study also discovered inadequacy in preventive practice, hence marking the importance of the proper integration of knowledge and attitude into forming an acceptable practice to reduce transmission of Leptospira among urban population in Malaysia.
Download File
Additional Metadata
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[img]](http://psasir.upm.edu.my/style/images/fileicons/text.png)