Level of knowledge about dengue in health personnel of the first-level healthcare in Ica, 2016

Objetive: To determine the level of knowledge about dengue in the health personnel of the first level care centers in the province of Ica in the year 2016 and to identify the associated factors. Materials and Methods: A prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. A questionnaire of 11 questions was applied to the 111 participants. The obtained score was calculated, considering as a maximum score 20, descriptive statistics were used, with means and percentages and for the bivariate analysis the Student test and ANOVA, with a significance level of p <0.05. Results: The maximum score was 9,7, with an average of 4,27 points. The identification of a probable case of dengue was the component with the best score, followed by clinical management, pathophysiology and cataloging of risk. Fever was the main symptom (89,2%), followed by: myalgias (63,1%), arthralgia (43,2%) and headache (39,6%); The most known warning signs were persistent vomiting and severe abdominal pain with 22,5% and 14,4%, respectively. 48,6% answered correctly about paracetamol use, while only 18,9% acknowledged hydration as an important part of the treatment. The criteria of discharge and reference were correctly identified in 32,4% and 11,7% of the cases, respectively. We found a statistically significant association with the profession (p = 0,00), attendance at training courses showed a level at the level of knowledge. Conclusions:The level of knowledge about dengue was low and this was associated with the profession. (AU)