Pakistani media and the rising fear of dengue fever.

Abstract

Objectives: In this study we analyze how much the general population fear from dengue fever based on their knowledge acquired via media. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Period: 1^st August 2019 to 30^th September 2019. Material & Method: Non-Probability consecutive sample technique was used. Patients with dengue fever were asked to fill a questionnaire which comprised of demographic variables as well as questions regarding their fear of dengue fever based on their information acquired from media particularly news channels. Results: Out of 2750 patients who underwent dengue serology, 727 came positive for active dengue viral infection. Of them 204 patients required admission. Patients were asked to rate how much they think dengue fever is lethal. The mean of all responses was 7.8 (p<0.005). When asked about the route of transmission 93% answered the correct mode of transmission. 59.4% (n=432) think that dengue fever requires anti-biotics while 40.5% (n=295) knew that the management of dengue fever is supportive. We asked the study subjects about what did they know about dengue hemmorhagic fever and dengue shock. Of the 727 individuals, 10.3% (n=75) knew regarding any of them. 89.6% had no idea. Conclusion: We hereby conclude that although media has done a great job in educating the people, it has also created a fear among the general population regarding dengue fever which the clinicians face every day.