Hubungan pengetahuan, sikap, dan lingkungan dengan tindakan pencegahan demam berdarah dengue (DBD) pada mahasiswa

Abstract

Background: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) remains a public health concern in Indonesia, including in residential settings, which has reported DHF cases among its residents over the past three years.

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and the environment and dengue fever prevention behaviors among college students; to determine the most strongly associated variables; and to identify the presence of dengue fever mosquito vectors.

Method: This mixed-methods study, employing a sequential explanatory approach, was conducted in December 2025 at the R. D. Kandou Central General Hospital in Manado. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, with a sample size of 111 respondents and 6 respondents serving as qualitative informants. The independent variables in this study were knowledge, attitude, and environment, while the dependent variable was dengue fever prevention. Quantitative data analysis included univariate analysis in the form of frequency distributions, bivariate analysis using the chi-square test, and multivariate analysis using logistic regression. Qualitative data analysis involved source triangulation and methodological triangulation, and was conducted using NVivo software.

Results: Quantitative analysis showed that most students had low levels of knowledge, despite predominantly positive attitudes and generally good environmental conditions; however, DHF prevention practices remained suboptimal. Significant associations were found between knowledge (p=0.030) and environmental factors (p=0.042) with prevention behavior, while attitudes were not significant (p=0.271). Logistic regression identified knowledge (Sig=0.048; p<0.05) as the most dominant factor. Qualitative findings indicated that knowledge influenced understanding and preventive practices. Positive attitudes did not always translate into consistent practices due to barriers such as academic workload and limited cooperation. Although environmental conditions were generally adequate, risk factors such as mosquitoes, larvae, stagnant water, and inconsistent hygiene practices persisted.

Conclusion: Knowledge and environmental factors influence dengue fever prevention behaviors among college students, with knowledge being the most influential variable. Raising health awareness and implementing sustainable environmental management are crucial for improving prevention practices.

Keywords: Attitude; Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever;  Environment; Knowledge; Students.