Health education impact on knowledge and management of arboviral diseases in Kenya: Evidence from randomised control trials

• Published in: Global public health Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 2274436
• Main Authors: Nyangau, Paul Nyamweya, Nzuma, Jonathan Makau, Irungu, Patrick, Junglen, Sandra, Kassie, Menale
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: arboviral diseases; Behavior change; Clinical outcomes; Clinical trials; Community participation; Counties; Dengue fever; Disease; Disease management; Education; Health education; Households; Intervention; Kenya; Management; Prevention programs; randomised control trials
• ISSN: 1744-1692; 1744-1706
• DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2274436

Communities' knowledge and management strategies are crucial for mitigating and controlling the threat of existing and emerging diseases. In this study, we conducted randomised control trials (RCT) to examine the impact of health education on households' knowledge and management of three Arboviral Diseases (ADs); Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya fever, and Dengue fever in Kenya. The study was based on a sample of 629 households drawn from the three of Kenya's AD hotspot counties; Baringo, Kwale, and Kilifi. Employing a difference-in-difference method, our findings indicate that health education intervention significantly improved households' understanding of ADs transmission modes, causes, and prevention strategies. However, this intervention did not sufficiently influence households' disease management behaviour. We recommend the implementation of community engagement and outreach initiatives which have the potential to drive behavioural changes at the household level, thus enhancing the management and control of ADs in Kenya.