Knowledge and practices of dengue control and their effect on breeding sites and vector populations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between knowledge and practices of dengue control with the observed dengue breeding sites and vector populations in a community. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among households in Negombo area in July 2009 during the height of the dengue epidemic in the country. Knowledge and practices in this community were measured using two methodologies. The first was a questionnaire, to be answered by the household respondent; the second, a mosquito larval survey, to identify potential and actual mosquito breeding sites in the corresponding household. The use of the two instruments allowed comparison of respondent knowledge and reported practice with the actual condition of the compound. RESULTS: All respondents (n=120) have heard of dengue, 89% knew at least one symptom of dengue and 93% knew that a mosquito was responsible for transmission. 60% correctly stated the preferred biting times of the vector and 80% knew that discarded tyres, bottles and plastic containers with water collections were the potential vector breeding sites. On inspection, 104 (87%) households had at least one potential breeding source. However, Aedes aegypti/albopictus larvae/pupae were observed only in water samples collected from 3 (2.5%) households. Knowledge about dengue symptoms, methods of prevention or level of education had no association with the potential breeding sites found. Low income was significantly associated with having at least one potential breeding source in the household. CONCLUSION: Although the level of knowledge about dengue was high in this community, we found only httle evidence that this knowledge was put into practice.