PERCEPCION COMUNITARIA FRENTE A LAS PRECIPITACIONES INTENSAS ASOCIADAS AL CAMBIO CLIMATICO EN LA APARICION DEL DENGUE CON SIGNOS DE ALARMA EN EL ECUADOR

Dengue is one of the vector-borne diseases with the greatest impact on global public health, whose incidence has been favored by environmental factors associated with climate change, especially increased heavy rainfall, temperature, and humidity. The objective of this study was to analyze community perception regarding intense rainfall associated with climate change and its relationship with the occurrence of dengue with warning signs in Ecuador. A quantitative, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted involving 119 third-semester nursing students from the Universidad Estatal de Milagro. Data collection was carried out through a structured virtual survey consisting of 10 questions using Google Forms. The results showed that most participants perceived significant changes in climate patterns and recognized the increase in vector-borne diseases as one of the main consequences of climate change. Likewise, a moderate level of knowledge about dengue and its warning signs predominated, although a considerable proportion of respondents reported not receiving sufficient information from health services. In addition, participants considered community and governmental measures to address this issue to be moderately effective. It is concluded that there is a positive community perception regarding the relationship between climate change and dengue; however, limitations in health education and prevention still persist. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen health promotion strategies, vector control measures, and community adaptation efforts in response to climate change.