The Effectiveness of Behavior Modification Program to Prevent and Control Dengue Fever among Head of Household in Sukhothai Thanee Municipality, Sukhothai Province

Abstract

Abstract

          This quasi-experimental study employed a one-group pretest–posttest design.
The objective was to examine the effectiveness of a behavioral modification program for the prevention and control of dengue fever among household heads residing in Sukhothai Thani Municipality, Sukhothai Province. The sample consisted of 50 household heads living in the Kuhasuwan community, Thani Subdistrict, Mueang Sukhothai District, selected through systematic sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The experimental tool was the behavioral modification program for dengue fever prevention and control among household heads. The program consisted of five activities: 1) Learning about dengue fever 2) Learning about dengue prevention and control 3) Learning about Aedes larval elimination 4) Learning about environmental management and 5) Reviewing dengue prevention and control practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test. The results showed that 58.00% of the participants were female and 42.00% were male. The average age was 57.41 years (S.D. = 12.41). The mean monthly household income was 16,372.00 baht (S.D. = 14,123.81). The average household size was 2.64 members (S.D. = 1.38), and 12.00% reported that a family member had previously been infected with dengue fever. The findings revealed that the mean scores for dengue fever knowledge, health beliefs including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived benefits of dengue prevention and control and dengue prevention and control behaviors were significantly higher after the intervention than before (p-value < 0.05). Conversely, the mean score for perceived barriers to dengue prevention and control was significantly lower after the intervention (p-value < 0.05). Therefore, relevant agencies should continuously monitor, supervise, and support dengue prevention and control activities among household heads to promote sustainable preventive behaviors.