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Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Leptospirosis | Research article

Leptospirosis and its prevention: knowledge, attitude and practice of urban community in Selangor, Malaysia

Authors: Nurul Munirah Abdullah, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad, Mohd Nazri Shafei, Surianti Sukeri, Zawaha Idris, Wan Nor Arifin, Noramira Nozmi, Siti Nor Sakinah Saudi, Suhailah Samsudin, Abdul-Wahab Zainudin, Rukman Awang Hamat, Rosni Ibrahim, Siti Norbaya Masri, Suhainizam Muhammad Saliluddin, Aziah Daud, Malina Osman, Tengku Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Leptospirosis is still endemic in Malaysia and has been prevalent in Selangor where cases have been underreported. Primarily, this was due to lack of awareness in the urban community in this region. This study determined the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice (KAP) of leptospirosis, and identified the significant predictors influencing KAP among urban community in Hulu Langat, Selangor.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 using validated questionnaire. Sampling methods included multistage cluster sampling, followed by simple random sampling to obtain 315 respondents. Descriptive analysis was performed to determine the KAP while χ2 and the subsequent logistic regression analysis were carried out to identify associations and predictors between variables.

Results

Respondents were mainly Malaysian Bumiputra with a mean (Standard Deviation (SD)) age of 32.5 (13.0) years. Of 315 respondents, 80.3% (n = 253) had poor knowledge, 87.0% (n = 274) had good attitude, and 81.3% (n = 256) showed unacceptable practice towards leptospirosis and its prevention. Regression analysis identified age as the sole predictor influencing good knowledge (AOR 2.388; 95% CI = 1.298, 4.396; p = 0.005). Education level (AOR 2.197; 95% CI = 1.109, 4.352; p = 0.024) was also noted as the significant predictor influencing the overall practice.

Conclusions

The urban community in Selangor showed a positive attitude in waste management despite having little knowledge regarding the disease itself. The study also discovered inadequacy in preventive practice, hence marking the importance of the proper integration of knowledge and attitude into forming an acceptable practice to reduce transmission of Leptospira among urban population in Malaysia.
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Metadata
Title
Leptospirosis and its prevention: knowledge, attitude and practice of urban community in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors
Nurul Munirah Abdullah
Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad
Mohd Nazri Shafei
Surianti Sukeri
Zawaha Idris
Wan Nor Arifin
Noramira Nozmi
Siti Nor Sakinah Saudi
Suhailah Samsudin
Abdul-Wahab Zainudin
Rukman Awang Hamat
Rosni Ibrahim
Siti Norbaya Masri
Suhainizam Muhammad Saliluddin
Aziah Daud
Malina Osman
Tengku Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Leptospirosis
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6981-0

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