Knowledge and practices among healthcare workers regarding dengue in Togo

• Main Authors: Wendpouiré I.C. Zida-Compaore (Author), Fifonsi A. Gbeasor-Komlanvi (Author), Martin K. Tchankoni (Author), Arnold J. Sadio (Author), Yao R. Konu (Author), Amegnona Agbonon (Author), Didier K. Ekouevi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: AOSIS, 2022-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2038-9922; 2038-9930; 10.4081/jphia.2022.1937
• Keywords: dengue; healthcare workers; knowledge and practices; togo; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Journal of Public Health in Africa, Vol 13, Iss 2 (2022)

In Togo where malaria is endemic, because main signs of malaria and dengue are similar, the use of malarial drugs first could contribute to a delay in the diagnosis of dengue and the dissemination of the disease. Thus, it is important that healthcare workers (HCW) have a good knowledge of these diseases. To assess the knowledge, and practices regarding dengue infection among HCW in Togo. A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2020 to March 2021 among HCW in Togo. A pre-tested digital questionnaire was used for data collection. Based on clinical signs of dengue, preventive measures, infection type and disease type, a knowledge score was constructed with eight questions. A total of 334 HCW with median age 32 years, IQR:(28-38) responded to the survey and the sex ratio male/female was 5.9. The majority (94.0%) of HCW have heard about dengue through training (73.3%), internet (38.0%) and media (33.2%). Compared with lower executive HCW, senior manager were more knowledgeable about the causative agent, the symptoms and preventive methods of dengue infection (p0.001). Globally, good knowledge (score ≥6) about dengue was found for 47.1% of HCW. More than 9 out of 10 HCW (91.3%) reported the lack of dengue diagnostic tools. Providing health structures with dengue diagnostic tools and training health personnel in their use in any febrile patient with a negative or positive malaria test would help prevent dengue epidemic.