THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT KNOWLEDGE OF DENGUE FEVER AND ITS PREVENTION

Jonas Auditorium

Objective. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention about dengue in a group of fifth-grade science students. Training in mosquito-control may help students become effective public health agents. Background. Dengue, a potentially fatal mosquito-borne viral disease, is spreading rapidly including in previously unaffected areas in the southern United States. Public health officials consider vector control and personal protection the best ways to control the spread of dengue in the absence of a safe and effective vaccine. Children are especially vulnerable to the severe complications of dengue and must be educated about the disease. Methods. Thirty- seven Naples, Florida fifth-graders participated in a quasi-experimental study to assess differences between the scores of pre- and posttests about dengue and its prevention. An active, hands-on educational intervention preceded the administration of the posttest. Results. Significant (p < .001) improvement in dengue knowledge test scores followed the educational intervention, and participants discovered several containers in which mosquitoes could breed during a search of the school grounds. Conclusion. The significant improvement in scores between the pre-and posttest indicate dengue knowledge attainment and confirms the study hypothesis. Including dengue and mosquito control lessons in schools in southern states may improve student knowledge and promote public health efforts to control mosquito habitat. Grants. no grants