Factors Affecting Prevention Practices of Dengue Fever Within the Communities in Aceh Province, Indonesia
Last reviewed: March 2026
Key Findings
- Among 203 respondents in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, female respondents (75.5%) practised dengue prevention more than males (58.7%).
- Higher education levels were strongly associated with better prevention practices (87.6% of highly educated vs. 47.2% of moderately educated).
- Good knowledge of dengue was a major determinant: 74% of those with good knowledge practised prevention vs. only 23.3% with poor knowledge.
- Positive attitude toward prevention was the single strongest predictor: 85.7% of those with positive attitudes practised prevention vs. 33.3% with negative attitudes.
Background and Context
Dengue fever remains one of the most significant mosquito-borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades, with the WHO estimating approximately 390 million dengue infections per year globally. Indonesia, and Aceh Province in particular, has experienced a substantial dengue burden.
Aceh Province was severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which devastated infrastructure and disrupted public health systems. In the aftermath, Department of Health data documented an upward trend in dengue cases, as disrupted water systems, displaced populations, and damaged housing created conditions conducive to the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.
Community-based prevention remains the cornerstone of dengue control in Indonesia. The national “3M Plus” programme encourages residents to drain standing water, close water storage containers, recycle or dispose of items that can collect water, and take additional preventive measures such as using mosquito repellents and bed nets. Understanding the factors that influence community adoption of these practices is critical for designing effective interventions.
Study Design and Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in the municipality of Banda Aceh and the district of Aceh Besar within Aceh Province, Indonesia. A total of 203 community members were recruited as participants. The study instrument was a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education level), knowledge about dengue fever, attitudes toward prevention, and actual prevention practices.
Results and Analysis
The study identified five key factors significantly affecting dengue prevention practices: knowledge, attitude, education level, age, and gender.
Gender differences in prevention behaviour were notable, with 75.5% of female respondents (71 women) practising dengue prevention compared with 58.7% of male respondents (64 men). This finding is consistent with international evidence showing that women often take primary responsibility for household hygiene and environmental management, activities directly related to dengue vector control.
Age played a role in prevention behaviour. Respondents in early adulthood (54.7% or 75 individuals) practised more dengue prevention than older respondents. This may reflect the greater physical capacity for environmental management activities and potentially greater exposure to health education programmes targeting younger demographics.
Education level showed a strong association with prevention practices. Among respondents with higher education, 87.6% (85 individuals) practised dengue prevention, compared with 47.2% (50 individuals) among those with moderate education levels. This significant difference underscores the role of education in fostering health literacy and enabling informed decision-making about disease prevention.
Knowledge about dengue fever emerged as a critical determinant. Of respondents demonstrating good knowledge, 74% (128 individuals) practised prevention, compared with only 23.3% (7 individuals) among those with poor knowledge. This finding highlights the importance of community health education programmes in providing accurate information about dengue transmission, symptoms, and prevention strategies.
Attitude toward prevention was the strongest predictor of behaviour. Among respondents with positive attitudes, 85.7% (108 individuals) practised prevention, compared with just 33.3% (25 individuals) among those with negative attitudes. This suggests that health promotion efforts should not only provide information but also work to shift attitudes by addressing perceived barriers and emphasising the benefits of prevention.
Implications for Dengue Control
These findings support a multi-faceted approach to dengue prevention in post-disaster settings. Community education programmes should target populations with lower education levels and specifically engage men, who showed lower prevention practice rates. The strong association between attitude and behaviour suggests that participatory community engagement approaches, rather than purely didactic health education, may be more effective in motivating sustained prevention behaviour.
Limitations
The cross-sectional design prevents causal inference. Self-reported prevention practices may be subject to social desirability bias. The study was limited to two areas within Aceh Province and may not be generalisable to other regions of Indonesia with different cultural and environmental contexts.
Zubir. Factors affecting prevention practices of dengue fever within the communities in Aceh Province, Indonesia. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine. 2017;17(3).
License: Content shared under CC BY-NC 4.0 — Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine.