Community Perception to Risk of Dengue Infection and Treatment Seeking Behaviour

Abstract

Dengue Virus (DENV) infection is still an important public health problems including in Indonesia. Dengue prevention and control program must be based on integrated knowledge also related to public perceptions of this disease. The aim of this study is to find out community perception on their risk to have dengue infection and also their treatment seeking behaviour. This is qualitiatative study which involved 9 informants from community in Banyumas Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Data collection was obtained by indept interview to the informants and data was analyzed by content analysis. Result of this study highlighted that most informants feel that they had less risk to contract with DENV infection. This perception could affect the less prevention and control effort which carried out in community. However, for they tend to seek treatment to health facility promptly after the symptoms of dengue appeared. Informants also emphasize that they support the prevention and control for minimize the dengue cases.