Knowledge and practices related to dengue and its vector: a community-based study from Southeast Brazil.

INTRODUCTION This study investigated the knowledge of users of primary healthcare services living in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, about dengue and its vector. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 605 people was conducted following a major dengue outbreak in 2013. RESULTS Participants with higher levels of education were more likely to identify correctly the vector of the disease. CONCLUSIONS The results emphasize the relevance of health education programs, the continuous promotion of educational campaigns in the media, the role of the television as a source of information, and the importance of motivating the population to control the vector.