Hong Kong public awareness of dengue fever and SARS grew last year, with most people adopting preventive measures to safeguard their health, according to a survey by the Department of Health.

The department said on Friday that the survey has found over 90 percent of people have fair to good knowledge of the diseases and about 97 percent are aware of preventive measures.

The survey was conducted in December to evaluate public perception of the diseases and the effectiveness of government campaigns against them.

A total of 3,163 people, aged 12 and above, were interviewed, representing a response rate of 71 percent. About 96 percent of respondents are accustomed to putting refuse in covered bins, 85 percent keeping drains free from blockage and 67 percent covering all water containers tightly to prevent dengue fever.

However, some personal preventive measures, such as using mosquito repellent and the installation of mosquito nets in non-air-conditioned rooms are less practiced.

For SARS, 94 percent cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, 89 percent wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose, and 89 percent use soap when washing hands. However, measures like using serving utensils during meals with others and family members are not commonly adopted.

Eighty percent said environmental hygiene improved after the SARS outbreak last year and over half agreed the community has a role to play in maintaining a hygienic environment.

The Center for Health Protection's Regina Ching said understanding the public's perception and hygienic practices will help the center map out effective control measures against the diseases.

"It is encouraging to find the public is of the view that to maintain a hygienic environment requires the collective efforts of the whole community," she said.

"The public was generally satisfied with the government's efforts in providing dengue fever and SARS prevention information," Ching said, adding "the survey indicated that the government's anti-dengue fever and anti-SARS campaigns were generally effective."

Source: Xinhua