GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CO-INFECTION PATTERNS OF EMERGING VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF ZIKA, WEST NILE, CHIKUNGUNYA, DENGUE, MALARIA, AND TICK-BORNE INFECTIONS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Vector-Borne Diseases, Malaria, Dengue, Zika, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Tick-Borne Infections, Healthcare Providers, Public Health, Disease Familiarity, Education and Training, Epidemiology, Outbreak Management
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of familiarity with a range of significant vector-borne diseases namely Malaria, Dengue, Zika, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, and Tick-Borne Infections among key professional groups involved in public health. The study aims to identify gaps in knowledge and provide recommendations for enhancing awareness and preparedness in the management of these diseases and public health interventions.
Objective: The objectives of this study are threefold: first, to assess and compare familiarity levels with vector-borne diseases among healthcare providers, public health officials, and researchers; second, to identify factors such as occupation, years of experience, and previous exposure to co-infections that may influence familiarity levels; and third, to develop recommendations for targeted educational and training programs that can enhance preparedness and response capabilities for managing these diseases.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 190 participants, including healthcare providers, public health officials, and researchers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing familiarity with the six vector-borne diseases. The survey responses were analyzed using statistical tests such as ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U Test, Spearman's Rank Correlation, and Logistic Regression. Graphical representations, including box plots, histograms, heatmaps, pie charts, and bar plots, were utilized to visually present the findings. These graphs provided insights into the distribution of familiarity scores across different diseases and occupational groups, highlighting key trends and relationships in the data.
Results: The study found that familiarity with Malaria and Dengue was significantly higher compared to Zika, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, and Tick-Borne Infections. The ANOVA results indicated no significant differences in familiarity levels across different occupations for these diseases (e.g., F = 1.938, p = 0.126 for Malaria). However, the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences in familiarity with diseases like Chikungunya across occupational groups (H = 4.028, p = 0.402). The Mann-Whitney U Test showed that healthcare providers with prior co-infection exposure had significantly higher familiarity scores for Malaria (U = 3756.5, p = 0.046). Spearman's Rank Correlation indicated no significant correlation between years of experience and familiarity with these diseases (ρ = -0.047, p = 0.523). Logistic Regression analysis revealed that familiarity with Zika and Tick-Borne Infections did not significantly predict the likelihood of encountering co-infections (p > 0.05). Graphical analysis, such as the ANOVA box plot and Spearman's heatmap, effectively illustrated these statistical findings, providing visual confirmation of the trends identified in the data.
Practical Implications: The findings highlight the need for targeted educational programs focused on emerging and less familiar vector-borne diseases. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and researchers must receive continuous training to enhance their preparedness for managing vector-borne disease outbreaks, particularly those that are less common or newly emerging in their regions.
Novelty: This study is among the first to comprehensively assess and compare familiarity with a broad range of vector-borne diseases across multiple occupational groups. It fills a critical gap in the literature by identifying specific areas where familiarity is lacking and proposing strategies for improving public health education and preparedness.
Conclusion: The study concludes that while familiarity with well-known diseases like Malaria and Dengue is relatively high, significant gaps exist in the knowledge of emerging and less common diseases such as Zika, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, and Tick-Borne Infections. Addressing these gaps through targeted educational interventions is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of public health responses to vector-borne diseases, ultimately contributing to better global health outcomes.
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Uzair Alam
Student, Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan
Mohammad Adil
Student, Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan
Faisal Saeed
Doctor, Department of Medicine, Capital Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan
Aliu Olalekan Olatunji
Doctor, Department of Medical microbiology and immunology, University of Toledo, USA
Tariq Rafique
Assistant Professor, Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education, Karachi, Pakistan,