Assessing Dengue Fever Awareness: Insights from Rural OPD patients at CHC, Rajasthan (2025)

Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquito, particularly Aedes aegypti, causing significant morbidity and mortality. According to NVBDCP survey report 2023, India accounts, 289235 dengue cases and recorded 485 deaths. This study focuses on assessment of domains of knowledge deficiency related to dengue fever for further public health intervention.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at CHC, Rural, Rajasthan, where 50 OPD patients aged 21 or above were surveyed using a quantitative approach and convenient sampling technique. The patients visiting the OPD were given a knowledge-based questionnaire in Hindi and also in local language to fill out.

This study shows that most patients are unaware of key facts about dengue fever. Only 18% of patients have heard of break-bone fever, another name for dengue. Additionally, 58% do not know the symptoms of the disease. Most patients, 82%, were not aware of when dengue mosquitoes are active. Furthermore, 56% do not know who is at risk for dengue or that rashes are a symptom. Many people, 36%, lack knowledge about the most common season for dengue fever and that it causes a decrease in platelet count and pattern of fever. However, 70% were familiar with home-based remedies, such as goat milk and papaya leaf juice, for treating dengue. On the other hand, 42% mistakenly believe that dengue is transmitted from person to person.

This study shows that the people living in rural community of Rajasthan needs more education and campaigns about preventing and controlling dengue, which will help stop diseases spread by vectors that are common in the area.