Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are the main vectors of dengue fever, a rapidly spreading vector-borne illness brought on by the dengue virus Kuo HJ et al.[1]. It continues to be a serious public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical areas like India, where frequent outbreaks result in high rates of morbidity and mortality Mohammed Yusuf A et al. (2019)[2]. In

order to lessen the effects of dengue, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stresses the necessity of efficient preventative measures, such as vector control, public awareness, and early diagnosis Paz-Bailey G et al. [3].

As aspiring medical professionals, medical students have a critical role in managing, diagnosing, and preventing dengue. When developing public health interventions, their KAP on dengue is crucial. According to research, medical students often have a solid grasp of dengue symptoms and transmission, but there are gaps in their knowledge of vector control techniques and preventive measures Khan MAS et al. [4]. Furthermore, their capacity to properly educate the public may be hampered by misunderstandings and insufficient preventive measures.

Only a tiny percentage of medical students in North India were able to accurately identify all preventative measures, despite the fact that the majority were aware of dengue symptoms Verma L et al. [5]. Similar studies conducted in Bangladesh highlighted how important it is to provide students with proper knowledge in order to guarantee their success in community health programs Gregorio ER et al.[6]. Additionally, research from the Philippines shows that although there is a high level of information of dengue, it is still difficult to translate that knowledge into practical preventive measures Al Awaidy ST et al. [7]. By addressing these disparities via focused educational initiatives, future medical professionals' readiness to contain dengue epidemics might be greatly improved.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate CIMS medical undergraduate students' knowledge about dengue. The results will help to improve dengue education and bolster medical community preventive efforts by highlighting areas of differences in their knowledge and behaviours.

Study Design and Population

Undergraduate healthcare students at CIMS participated in this cross-sectional study. Students studying medicine and nursing were part of the study population. Cochran's method was used to calculate the sample size of 497 individuals, assuming a 95% confidence interval and an estimated 71% prevalence of dengue knowledge. To guarantee participation from various academic years, stratified random selection was employed.

Inclusion Criteria

• Undergraduate students enrolled in healthcare programs at CIMS.
• Students who provided informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

• Students who had participated in similar surveys within the past six months.
• Students unwilling to complete the questionnaire.

Data Collection

A structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from validated KAP studies was used. It included four sections:

1. Demographics: Age, gender, year of study, and prior dengue education.
2. Knowledge Assessment: Questions on dengue transmission, symptoms, complications, vector control, and prevention.
3. Attitude Assessment: Perceptions about dengue severity, personal responsibility, and confidence in prevention strategies.
4. Practice Assessment: Response to suspected dengue cases, involvement in vector control efforts, and personal preventive measures.

The questionnaire was pretested on a small group for validity and reliability, with modifications made based on feedback.

Data Analysis

SPSS (VERSION) was used to analyse the gathered data statistically. Demographic and KAP data were presented using descriptive statistics including mean, frequency, and percentage. ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to examine the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores and demographic characteristics, with a significance threshold of p 0.05.

A total of 497 students participated (response rate: 99%). Participants included 59.7% medical students and 40.3% nursing students. The mean age was 19-27 years.

           Table 1: Awareness, Attitudes, and Challenges Related to Dengue Prevention

Figure 1

          Table 2: Knowledge of Dengue Transmission, Risks, and Symptoms

Figure 2

      Table 3: Dengue Prevention Practices and Community Engagement

                               Figure 3

The findings show that although most students knew enough about dengue fever, there were still significant gaps, especially when it came to early symptom identification and vector control techniques. A lack of firsthand contact with dengue cases, discrepancies in curriculum focus on public health measures, or inequities in academic exposure are some of the possible causes of these knowledge gaps. Additionally, students may not completely understand the complexity of dengue prevention and management due to inadequate exposure to real-world circumstances.

Although students' views towards dengue prevention were largely positive, a number of misunderstandings were found to exist, which highlights the need for focused educational programs that address particular areas of misunderstanding. The necessity for organised learning systems that give evidence-based information priority is highlighted by misconceptions about transmission mechanisms, risk factors, and preventative actions. Research from other areas has also shown how crucial it is to give medical students thorough and correct knowledge on dengue fever in order to prepare them for clinical and public health positions in the future. Verma L et al., Gregorio ER et al.[5,6].

Furthermore, it appears that although there is theoretical understanding of preventive methods, it is still difficult to translate that information into consistent and successful behavioural practices, as seen by the inconsistency in students' preventative practices. This is consistent with research from other healthcare organisations that indicates good preventative measure implementation is not always correlated with a high degree of expertise. Siriphanitchakorn T et al., Al Awaidy ST et al. [7,8]. Incorporating useful public health awareness campaigns within the medical curriculum may help close this gap. Through practical instruction, fieldwork, and real-world case studies, students may gain a more comprehensive grasp of how to put their knowledge to use in the real world. Additionally, encouraging a culture of ongoing education and active involvement in community health initiatives may improve their capacity to apply successful dengue preventive techniques in clinical settings as well as more general public health initiatives.

Although the general dengue KAP of CIMS undergraduate students was outstanding, a few of shortcomings were discovered. By supporting targeted educational initiatives like seminars and awareness campaigns, misconceptions may be dispelled and preventative behaviour reinforced. Furthermore, integrating practical demonstrations and community involvement initiatives into medical education might enhance students' dedication to dengue prevention by guaranteeing that theoretical understanding is translated into real-world application.

Future research should examine the long-term effects of these programs, determining how consistent educational initiatives affect students' clinical judgement and preventative practices. Additionally, studies should examine how students' comprehension, self-assurance, and reaction to actual dengue patients are influenced by increasing clinical exposure. Future medical professionals can be better prepared to fight dengue both inside healthcare facilities and in the general public by consistently improving medical curriculum and encouraging a proactive approach towards vector-borne illness prevention.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

• The study was restricted to one medical facility, which can have an impact on how broadly the results can be applied.
• Response bias may be introduced by self-reported data.

The cross-sectional design makes it impossible to evaluate long-term KAP variations.

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