Knowledge of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever by a Parents-Teachers Group in a Filipino High School

Abstract

School-age children are particularly susceptible to dengue hemorthagic fever. During January 1993, schools in Dumaguete City, Philippines were found to have breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the carrier of the dengue virus. In response to a dengue outbreak, a mass media campaign followed. In addition, dengue information sheets with parental returns slips
were distributed among the pupils of the city’s schools. Parent/teacher meetings were held as a response to the information sheet distribution. One high school parent/teacher group was evaluated on dengue knowledge by questionnaire.
About 75% of the participants claimed exposure to dengue health communication other than the information sheets. The total correct response rate to the questionnaire was 64.5%. The questionnaire topics included dengue transmission, treatment, and control. The most favorable response dealt with the knowledge of mosquito breeding sites. The least favorable response dealt with effective mosquito control.