FACTORS PREDICTING DENGUE PREVENTION BEHAVIORS AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN COMORO VILLAGE, DILI TIMOR LESTE

Abstract

Dengue prevention is the most effective way to reduce morbidity and mortality of dengue, especially for children. Many efforts from the Timor Leste Ministry of Health for dengue prevention. However, the Country’s annual incidence continues to rise due to some factors related to prevention behaviors. This study aimed to describe dengue prevention behaviors among mothers of under five children and to examine factors predicting dengue prevention behaviors among mothers of under five children. A simple cluster random sampling method was used to recruit the sample of 264 mothers of under five children. Research instruments included the demographic questionnaire, knowledge regarding dengue questionnaire, perceived susceptibility questionnaire, perceived severity questionnaire, perceived benefits questionnaire, perceived barriers questionnaire, self-efficacy questionnaire, and dengue prevention behaviors questionnaires. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and standard multiple linear regression.

The results revealed that the mean score of dengue prevention was 58.28 out of possible score of 75 which showed poor dengue prevention behaviors. The regression analysis showed all the variables combined could explain 7.2 % of variance of dengue prevention behaviors among mothers of under five children. However, only knowledge (β = .149, p < .001) and self-efficacy (β = .147, p < .001) could significantly predict dengue prevention behaviors.

The findings highlighted significant evidence for future interventions that could enhance dengue prevention behaviors among mothers of under five children.

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