Assessment of the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the people on dengue fever and malaria in the central Nepal

Dengue and malaria remain critical, resurgent public health challenges in Nepal. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding these mosquito-borne diseases among 130 households in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, Makawanpur. Utilizing a questionnaire-based survey, the study found that 28% of respondents self-reported a household history of dengue within the past year often cluster-infecting multiple family members while only 1% self-reported history of malaria. Participants demonstrated high knowledge regarding dengue vectors (87%) and prevention (72%), alongside strong confidence (97%) in their chosen treatment strategies. Conversely, knowledge regarding malaria transmission was remarkably low (13%). While community attitudes and knowledge favor dengue prevention, critical gaps persist regarding malaria. These findings underscore the need for targeted, community-level educational interventions and intensified vector control programs to mitigate transmission risks and strengthen regional public health resilience.