Short Note-2
Housewives’ Behaviour Towards Control of DHF in Surabaya, Indonesia Airlangga University School of Medicine, Surabaya, Indonesia
Susilowati Andajani and Florentina Sustini
By
DHF remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, especially in Surabaya. A steep increase in the incidence of DHF was observed in Surabaya, from 753 cases (IR. 39.6/100,000 population) in 1973 to 3667 cases (IR. 122/100,000 population) in 1998. This rise was facilitated by increased migration and population growth and the widespread prevalence of the vector, Aedes aegypti. Eighty per cent of the villages in Surabaya are DHF endemic areas where larval indices exceed 85%. The objectives of this study were to analyse the correlation of the housewives’ awareness about DHF and its control. This was assessed through a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study. The survey was an analytical, observational, cross-sectional study. The study population comprised of 100 individuals selected through sampling. The data was analysed using multiple logistic regression with stepwise method. Dependent variables were the housewives’ knowledge, attitude and practice in controlling DHF. Independent variables were the age and education of housewives,
household income, and the presence of cases in the household or their neighbours. The results were as follows: (1) A significant correlation was found between the household income and the presence of DHF cases with the housewives’ knowledge about controlling DHF: (a) every increase of Rp.100,000 in the household income resulted in better knowledge (as much as 1.34 times), and (b) housewives with the presence of cases had 0.28 times less knowledge than housewives without cases. (2) A significant correlation was found between the presence of cases with the housewives’ attitude towards controlling DHF. Housewives with the presence of cases had 0.5 times lower attitude than housewives without cases. (3) A significant correlation was found between the housewives’practice in controlling DHF. Every increase 107
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Housewives’ Behaviour Towards Control of DHF in Surabaya, Indonesia
of 10 years in the age of a housewife resulted in a better practice by 2.88 times. (4) A significant correlation was found between the presence of cases with the housewives’behaviour in controlling DHF. Housewives with the presence of cases had a behaviour level 0.41 times lower than the housewives without cases. (5) A significant correlation was found between the housewives’ knowledge
with their practice in controlling DHF. Better knowledge had better practice as high as 3.43 times. It was concluded that while DHF had been endemic in Surabaya for almost 30 years, the control and prevention of the disease had not been fully understood by all people. It is important, therefore, that for the success of the programme of elimination of mosquito breeding places, people’ s knowledge of DHF and its control should be enhanced by campaigns using available mass media as well as community organizations.
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