# Community Knowledge About Climate Change and Industrialization Impacts on Recurrence of Dengue Epidemics in Selected Districts in Tanzania: A Cross‐Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how well people in Tanzania understand how climate change and industrialization affect dengue outbreaks.

## Contribution

The study identifies demographic factors linked to poor knowledge of climate and industrialization impacts on dengue epidemics.

## Key findings

- Only 19% of participants understood the link between climate change and dengue.
- Age over 35 and lower education levels were associated with poor knowledge.
- Targeted education could improve understanding and prevention behaviors.

## Abstract

Dengue fever epidemics pose an increasing public health threat in Tanzania. Climate change and industrialization may influence outbreaks, while community knowledge plays a vital role in prevention. This study examined public knowledge about environmental and anthropogenic impacts on dengue transmission.

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from April to June 2022 with 482 participants from Bahi, Kyela, and Ngorongoro districts. A validated questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and knowledge about dengue epidemiology related to climate and industrialization. Multinomial logistic regression and χ
2 tests examined associations between variables.

Over half of the participants (52.9%) were male, and most were aged 26–35 (33.2%). Only 21% demonstrated a good understanding of industrialization's health impacts, while 19% knew the climate change linkage with dengue. Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding climate change and industrialization impacts linked to recurrent epidemics (44.2% poor knowledge). Age over 35 (AOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.39–2.14), primary education or less (AOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59–0.99), and unemployment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.23–0.42) were associated with poor knowledge. Gender and occupation significantly predicted climate change knowledge (p < 0.001).

Communities in dengue‐endemic areas have limited knowledge about climate and anthropogenic drivers of recurring epidemics. Targeted educational interventions can improve understanding and preventative behavior among high‐risk demographics.