Scholarlink

<p>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) poses a significant public health threat in Somaliland; however, community knowledge and preventive practices remain understudied in this region. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding CHIKV infection among Burao residents. A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2025 among 422 adult residents of Burao City, Somaliland, using a multistage cluster sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire adapted and validated for the local context. Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice (KAP) scores were calculated, with ≥ 70% of the maximum score indicating good knowledge, positive attitudes, or good preventive practices. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate survey-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to identify sociodemographic factors associated with KAP levels. Model diagnostics included an assessment of goodness-of-fit and multicollinearity. Statistical significance was set at <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05. Awareness of CHIKV was very high at 97.4% (411/422; 95% CI: 95.3–98.5%), with most participants correctly identifying mosquitoes as the transmission vector (85.1%) and recognizing common symptoms such as fever and joint pain (91.0%). However, only 32.7% (95% CI: 28.3–37.3%) of participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward CHIKV prevention, and 44.5% (95% CI: 39.8–49.3%) exhibited good preventive practices. Higher educational attainment was associated with better knowledge (AOR = 5.28; 95% CI: 1.08–25.82) than among those with no formal education, while preventive practices varied across sociodemographic groups in adjusted analyses. Students also had higher odds of good knowledge (AOR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.35–7.29). Age groups of 25–34 years (AOR = 2.65) and 35–44 years (AOR = 3.03) were more likely to have good knowledge than those aged 16–24 years. Employment status was positively associated with positive attitudes (AOR = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.81–5.28) among employed/farmer participants. Men had higher odds of good preventive practices than women (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.01–2.42), and participants aged 25–34 years were more likely to engage in good preventive behavior (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.20–5.01). Educational status and employment were not significantly associated with preventive practices in the adjusted model. Model diagnostics confirmed a good fit and no multicollinearity. Despite high CHIKV awareness in Burao, positive attitudes and preventive practices remain low, revealing a significant knowledge–behavior gap. Although education strongly predicts knowledge, higher education and employment do not consistently improve preventive practices because of socioeconomic and structural barriers. Effective control requires integrated interventions beyond health education, including improved waste management, water infrastructure, and environmental sanitation. Tailored communication for educated and employed groups, combined with active community engagement and strengthened public health systems, is essential to enhance prevention and reduce outbreak risks.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Community knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding Chikungunya virus infection in Burao, Somaliland: implications for vector control and public health interventions

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月3日

查看全文
  • Dek Kahin Yosef,
  • Fadumo Osman Ahmed,
  • Mohamed Omer Farah,
  • Mohamed Omer Ali

摘要

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) poses a significant public health threat in Somaliland; however, community knowledge and preventive practices remain understudied in this region. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding CHIKV infection among Burao residents. A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2025 among 422 adult residents of Burao City, Somaliland, using a multistage cluster sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire adapted and validated for the local context. Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice (KAP) scores were calculated, with ≥ 70% of the maximum score indicating good knowledge, positive attitudes, or good preventive practices. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate survey-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to identify sociodemographic factors associated with KAP levels. Model diagnostics included an assessment of goodness-of-fit and multicollinearity. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Awareness of CHIKV was very high at 97.4% (411/422; 95% CI: 95.3–98.5%), with most participants correctly identifying mosquitoes as the transmission vector (85.1%) and recognizing common symptoms such as fever and joint pain (91.0%). However, only 32.7% (95% CI: 28.3–37.3%) of participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward CHIKV prevention, and 44.5% (95% CI: 39.8–49.3%) exhibited good preventive practices. Higher educational attainment was associated with better knowledge (AOR = 5.28; 95% CI: 1.08–25.82) than among those with no formal education, while preventive practices varied across sociodemographic groups in adjusted analyses. Students also had higher odds of good knowledge (AOR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.35–7.29). Age groups of 25–34 years (AOR = 2.65) and 35–44 years (AOR = 3.03) were more likely to have good knowledge than those aged 16–24 years. Employment status was positively associated with positive attitudes (AOR = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.81–5.28) among employed/farmer participants. Men had higher odds of good preventive practices than women (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.01–2.42), and participants aged 25–34 years were more likely to engage in good preventive behavior (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.20–5.01). Educational status and employment were not significantly associated with preventive practices in the adjusted model. Model diagnostics confirmed a good fit and no multicollinearity. Despite high CHIKV awareness in Burao, positive attitudes and preventive practices remain low, revealing a significant knowledge–behavior gap. Although education strongly predicts knowledge, higher education and employment do not consistently improve preventive practices because of socioeconomic and structural barriers. Effective control requires integrated interventions beyond health education, including improved waste management, water infrastructure, and environmental sanitation. Tailored communication for educated and employed groups, combined with active community engagement and strengthened public health systems, is essential to enhance prevention and reduce outbreak risks.