Abstract
Background: Dengue fever is neglected, under-recognized and under-reported in Nigeria due to a lack of awareness by healthcare providers and a lack of prioritization by the public health authorities.
Objectives:This study assessed the awareness, knowledge and perception of some undergraduate students at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, using a convenient sampling method with the aid of a questionnaire which had four (4) sections. Section A obtained socio-demographic information of respondents. Section B assessed respondents' awareness of dengue fever. Section C assessed the respondents' knowledge of dengue fever. Section D assessed the respondents' perception of dengue fever.
Results: Out of eight hundred (800) students that were sampled, only 536 questionnaires were properly filled giving a response rate of 67%. Most 337(62.9%) of the students were aware of dengue fever, 140(26.1%) of the students heard about dengue from lectures and 354(66.0%) wanted increased awareness through public enlightenment. More than half 273(50.9%) of the students had good knowledge of dengue fever while 370(69.0%) had a good perception of dengue fever
Conclusion: The undergraduate students were aware of dengue fever, and they had good knowledge and perception of dengue fever
Keywords: Dengue fever, knowledge, awareness, perception, undergraduate student