Objectives:
Dengue, among all the vector-borne diseases, continues to be a major public health problem in India. Dengue once considered being problem in urban areas, now it is increasingly found in rural areas. Thus, empowering the village level functionaries like members of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) can help in prevention and control of dengue in the rural areas. The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of educational intervention on perception regarding dengue and its prevention among VHSNC members.
Material and Methods:
This prospective interventional study was conducted among all 305 VHSNC members of two randomly selected primary health centers of Mysuru talukas for the period of 6 months. Baseline levels of perception on dengue were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Educational intervention on various domains of dengue and its prevention was provided using audiovisual aids, handouts, and group discussion. Endline survey was conducted 1 month after the education sessions to assess the effectiveness intervention.
Results:
A total of 305 VHSNC members participated in the study. In pre-test survey, only 189 (61.9%) had ever heard of disease dengue. In post-test survey, 274 (91.3%) had heard of dengue. There was a statistically significant improvement in perception regarding, preventable nature of dengue, mode of transmission, breeding and biting habits of mosquito, source reduction measures, and personal protective measures against mosquito bites following educational intervention.
Conclusion:
Educational intervention was found to be effective in empowering village level stake holders like VHSNC members regarding dengue and its prevention.
Evaluation of village health sanitation and nutrition committee in Himachal Pradesh, India
