Conhecimentos da população sobre dengue no município de Lago do Junco, Estado do Maranhão

Abstract

Dengue fever is a re-emerging arbovirus caused by the dengue virus [Dengue virus (DENV)] belonging to the Flavivirus genus, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of mosquitoes belonging to the Aedes genus. Dengue transmission occurs mainly in temperate and tropical areas within the vector's range, with local variations, influenced by rainfall, temperature and rapid and unplanned urbanization of cities, as occurs in the state of Maranhão. The present study aimed to verify the population's level of knowledge about dengue in the municipality of Lago do Junco, state of Maranhão. Data collection was carried out through the application of a closed questionnaire, containing 20 multiple-choice questions, in urban and rural areas of the municipality, from February to May 2024. The study involved the participation of 264 participants, with the majority female (62.10%), aged between 35 and 59 years old (37.00%), having completed secondary education (26.10%) and working as a farmer (43.90%). Of the total respondents, 98.90% had already heard about dengue and 87.90% said they had not been diagnosed with the disease. Despite this, 26.10% of those interviewed believed in the occurrence of dengue cases in the municipality during the study period. Regarding the causative agent of arbovirus, 48.90% responded that the disease is caused by a virus and 43.10% responded that the scientific name of the disease-causing agent is Dengue virus. The majority of respondents (93.20%) correctly answered that high fever with sudden onset and intense headache are some of the symptoms of the disease. Regarding transmission, 64.80% correctly answered that it occurs through the bite of female mosquitoes of the species Ae. aegypti. Finally, when asked whether the disease vector must necessarily be infected to be able to transmit it, 59.80% of participants correctly answered yes. The present study allowed us to verify that the majority of interviewees from Lago do Junco, state of Maranhão, have a satisfactory level of knowledge about dengue. However, the importance of providing greater access to educational activities is highlighted, so that the population acquires even more comprehensive knowledge about the disease.