AWARENESS, ATTITUDES, AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES TOWARD DENGUE FEVER CONTROL AMONG THE GENERAL POPULATION IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Dengue fever remains a growing public health concern in endemic and emerging settings, with effective control largely dependent on community awareness and preventive behaviors. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) regarding dengue fever among residents of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to examine their association with sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jeddah from October 2025 to March 2026 among adult Arabic-speaking residents aged ≥18 years. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire based on the KAP framework, distributed both online and through community-based public health campaigns across different districts of the city. KAP scores were analyzed, and associations with sociodemographic variables were assessed using comparative statistics, correlation analysis, and logistic regression.