The Dengue Anxiety Scale (DENAS): A new tool for assessing disease-specific anxiety.

Abstract

Background: Dengue is a major public health concern in Latin America, not only due to its widespread transmission and physical complications but also because of its psychological impact on affected populations. The fear of infection, uncertainty about disease progression, and potential for severe outcomes contribute to heightened anxiety, particularly in endemic areas. Despite this significant burden, there is currently no validated instrument specifically designed to assess anxiety related to the risk of contracting dengue, highlighting a critical gap in psychosocial evaluation and care.

Aim: To develop and validate the Dengue Anxiety Scale (DENAS), a novel instrument specifically designed to assess anxiety related to the risk of dengue infection within the general population of Paraguay.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to achieve this, involving 408 participants from diverse demographic backgrounds. The development process included item generation, expert evaluation for content validity, and statistical analyses to assess the scale's psychometric properties, including reliability and construct validity.

Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a two-factor psychological and physical dimensions model accounting for 61.6% of the variance. Content validity was confirmed using Aiken's V, and reliability was excellent (McDonald's ω = 0.903). The DENAS correlated significantly with established anxiety and depression measures.

Conclusion: The DENAS is a reliable, valid instrument for evaluating dengue-specific anxiety, with promising applications in public mental health in endemic areas.