Fogging to combat dengue: factors influencing stakeholders' attitudes in Malaysia

Background Fogging is a conventional technique used to combat Aedes mosquitoes and prevent dengue disease. It is often implemented in outbreak areas or areas harbouring a high density of Aedes mosquitoes. Currently, studies on stakeholders’ attitudes towards fogging are still limited in number. Ther...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Arham, Ahmad Firdhaus, Amin, Latifah, Che Mustapa, Muhammad Adzran|||0000-0002-1358-627X, Mahadi, Zurina, Yaacob, Mashitoh, Patahol Wasli, Mohamad Muhidin, Rusly, Noor Sharizad
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/404931
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/404931
https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16054-3
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Dengue
Aedes
Insecticides
Aerosols
Consumer behavior -- Malaysia
Attitude
Stakeholder analysis
Fogging technique
Dengue disease
PLS-SEM
Malaysia
Aedes -- Malàisia
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Ciències de la salut
Descripción
Sumario:Background Fogging is a conventional technique used to combat Aedes mosquitoes and prevent dengue disease. It is often implemented in outbreak areas or areas harbouring a high density of Aedes mosquitoes. Currently, studies on stakeholders’ attitudes towards fogging are still limited in number. Therefore, this study aims to assess Malaysian attitudes, and identify the predicting factors influencing such attitudes. Methods A validated instrument was used to interview 399 randomly selected respondents from the public (n = 202, 50.6%) and scientists (n = 197, 49.4%) in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. The data were analysed using PLS-SEM involving Smart-PLS software. Results The results confirmed that stakeholder attitudes toward fogging should be viewed in terms of a multi- dimensional association. The stakeholders surveyed were highly positive with regard to the application of fogging to control dengue but professed moderate concerns as to associated risks. The PLS-SEM analyses demonstrated that the perceived benefit was the most important factor influencing attitudes, followed by trust in key players. Conclusions This result provides a good insight from the perspective of education and unravels the underlying fundamentals of stakeholders’ attitudes toward the fogging technique. The findings also provide a positive indicator to the responsible parties involved to continue the usage of this technique in conjunction with improvements with regard to its safety aspects, and possibly in combination with other environmental-friendly alternatives in order to achieve a healthy environment without dengue in Malaysia.