Impact of seven plus one initiative on prevention and control of dengue infection at tertiary care institute - A pre- and post-education intervention.

Abstract

Dengue continues to pose a major public health challenge in India, particularly during monsoon seasons. Frontline workers play a crucial role in surveillance and prevention, yet gaps in their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) often limit effective control. The Seven-Plus-One (7 + 1) initiative emphasises weekly source reduction and early fever management through community engagement. To assess the impact of a 7 + 1-based educational intervention on dengue-related KAP among frontline workers in a tertiary care teaching institute in Rishikesh. A pre-post interventional study was conducted among 131 frontline workers, including security personnel, sanitation staff, engineering staff, and students. A structured, pre-tested KAP questionnaire was administered before and after a 7 + 1-focused training session. Data were analysed using SPSS v25, and pre-post differences were assessed using McNemar's test. Significant improvement was observed across KAP domains. Recognition of <i>Aedes aegypti</i> as the dengue vector increased from 14.5% to 85.5% (<i>P</i> = 0.001), and awareness of clean stagnant water as a breeding site increased from 61.8% to 90.8% (<i>P</i> = 0.001). Positive care-seeking attitudes (consulting a doctor immediately upon fever) increased from 94.7% to 99.2%. Preventive practices improved markedly, with daily cleaning increasing from 14.5% to 45% and weekly cleaning from 32.1% to 74% (<i>P</i> = 0.028). The Seven-Plus-One educational intervention effectively enhanced dengue-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among frontline workers. Routine incorporation of weekly source-reduction activities and structured awareness modules may improve institutional dengue preparedness and community resilience.