Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence in Dengue‐Related Practice Among Primary Healthcare Nurses: A Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Aims

To evaluate primary healthcare (PHC) nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in dengue-related practice and to identify predictors of confidence.

Design

A multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Methods

The study was conducted from May to August 2024 with 488 PHC nurses from 85 PHC units across 21 provinces in Indonesia. Established questionnaires measuring knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in dengue-related practice were translated into Indonesian and psychometrically tested prior to use. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson's correlations, and multiple linear regression analysis with SPSS for Windows, version 27.0.

Results

The mean knowledge score was 4.3 (SD = 1.3) out of 7, indicating insufficient knowledge. The mean attitude score was 28.4 (SD = 4.3) out of 35, reflecting generally positive attitudes toward dengue prevention. The mean confidence score was 19.1 (SD = 3.5) out of 25, suggesting moderate confidence in dengue-related practice. Higher education (B = 0.78), familiarity with national guidelines (B = 1.01), greater knowledge (B = 0.22), and more positive attitudes (B = 0.33) significantly predicted confidence levels. These predictors explained 23% of the variance in confidence scores.

Conclusion

PHC nurses demonstrated insufficient dengue-related knowledge, positive attitudes, and moderate confidence in clinical practice. Confidence was significantly associated with higher education, familiarity with national guidelines, greater knowledge, and more positive attitudes toward dengue prevention. These findings highlight the need to increase nurses' awareness and use of dengue national guidelines and to implement targeted professional development programs to enhance dengue management competence, although the use of convenience and snowball sampling may limit generalizability.

Impact

This study addresses the limited research on PHC nurses' confidence for dengue management. It found that higher education, guideline familiarity, knowledge, and attitudes significantly predicted confidence.

Reporting Method

This study adhered to the STROBE checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public involvement.