Abstract

Introduction: Chikungunya infection is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Chikungunya virus which is to the family Togaviridae. In 2008, Chikungunya infection was first identified in Rajshahi and chapainawabganj, recent outbreak occur in Dhaka 2017.
Objective: To ascertain the knowledge and awareness regarding Chikungunya among community people of selected area of Dhaka city.
Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in selected area of Dhaka city. The study was conducted among 266 participants from 1st August to 30th September 2017. Convenient sampling method was followed for selecting the participants; face-face interview was taken by using pre-tested semistructured questionnaire.
Result: Although about 92.5% of the respondents had heard of Chikungunya infection but only (50%) responded correctly that Chikungunya is transmitted by Aedes mosquito. Among total 47% had misconceptions that Chikungunya vector breeding in dirty storage water. Only 43% had correctly responded about the breeding habitat of Chikungunya mosquito. Study respondents were conscious about clinical features of Chikungunya infection particularly high fever (18.0%) and joint pain (14.6%). Most (88%) of respondents believe Chikungunya is preventable. Study participants use various methods including mosquito coils (15.1%), mosquito nets (28.4%), insecticide spray (19.3%), electric bat (12.4%) and window net (12.4%) for mosquito bite prevention. Social network/ media was considered as the most important and useful source of information on the disease.
Conclusion: Community people had lack of in-depth knowledge about Chikungunya breeding place and methods of prevention of the disease. Health education and community awareness can play a role for control of chikungunya epidemic.

Keywords: Knowledge; Awareness; Chikungunya