EFFECTIVENESS OF A STRUCTURED HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES REGARDING DENGUE FEVER AMONG ADULTS IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITY AREA AT VELLORE TAMILNADU: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Background: Dengue is an important mosquito-borne viral disease in tropical and subtropical regions. Community participation, elimination of mosquito breeding sites, personal protection and early recognition of warning signs are important components of dengue prevention and control. Community health nurses can play a key role in health education and mobilization. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of a structured health education programme on knowledge and preventive practices regarding dengue fever among adults in a rural community. Methods: A one-group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design was used for this simulated manuscript. A sample of 100 adults aged 20–59 years was considered from a selected rural community in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. Baseline knowledge and preventive practices were assessed using a structured questionnaire and practice checklist. A health education programme addressed dengue transmission, breeding-site control, personal protection, environmental sanitation, warning signs and early health-seeking. A post-test was7 at day .