Dengue hemorrhagic fever in children: Risk factors and dengue virus serotype distribution in Dharmavaram revenue subdivision, Sri Sathya Sai District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The viral infection known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) continues to be a problem for public health. In the Sri Sathya Sai district's Dharmavaram revenue subdivision, the highest case fatality rate (CFR) was noted. Children who have dengue fever have an increased risk of dying. The increasing frequency of dengue fever necessitates research into three risk factors: the environment, mosquitoes as the vector, and humans as the host. This study uses a cross-sectional study design and a descriptive methodology. From August to December 2021, information was gathered using primary data in the form of questionnaires. 90 children (48 with dengue and 42 control group) under the age of 18 who met the criteria in the working area's Dharmavaram revenue subdivision served as the study's subjects. The univariate analysis of the data was done using a frequency distribution table. The results of this study show that male children between the ages of 10 and 15 are the ones who experience dengue fever in the workplace the most. Based on other host factors, children who are active outside the home and seldom use repellent are more likely to contract dengue fever. Dengue fever patients have a habit of draining the landfill once every two weeks, never closing the landfill, and never recycling used items, according to Mosquito Nest Eradication Behaviours. Most kids with dengue fever hardly ever hang their clothes up in their rooms or use abatements. Residents of the Dharmavaram revenue subdivision were more likely to contract dengue if they used insect repellent, hung their garments outside, or had larvae in their water containers. The most common serotype of dengue virus is DEN-1. Environmental management encourages intervention against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a carrier of dengue fever, as well as other environmental changes. We believe that the outcomes of this study will shed light on vulnerable populations and serve as a platform for future research.