Abstract:
Dengue that has caused 29,777 suspected infections in 2015 has emerged the most challenging
health issue faced in Sri Lanka. Approximately 51% of dengue infections are reported from the
Western Province. The susceptibility of a population to dengue is influenced by a combination
of socio-economic, environmental and epidemiological factors. The current study was
conducted to characterize a population of dengue patients residing in a high dengue risk area in
terms of their socio-economic appearance. An interviewer administrated questionnaire was used
to collect information on the socio-economic aspects of a group of 140 randomly selected
dengue positive patients residing in Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Medical Officer of
Health (MOH) area. Out of 140, a majority (63.6%, n=89) were females, while the age groups
of 31-40 and 21-30 years were recognized as the most susceptible age groups for dengue. High
proportion of the patients (79.3%, n=111) were having an educational level below secondary
school (O/L) with a total family income below 20,000 LKR (80.7%, n=113). All the homesteads
were smaller (<5 perch) in size, with small roads for access (77.1%, n=108) and/or a footpath
(22.9%, n=32) as the access route. Majority of the households (69.3%, n=97) were temporary
with moderate conditions (51.4%, n=72), that were mainly utilized for both residential and
commercial purposes (63.5%, n=89) at once. In a majority of households’ solid waste was
disposed within 7 days (62.1%) via the Municipal Council or by keeping near the main roads
(37.9%). Source separation of waste, home gardening and composting by the study population
was minimal (n=137, 97.9%). Pipe water remained as the only water source while
approximately 27.9% (n=39) households were lacking sanitary facilities. Use of mosquito coils
and bed-nets were the most preferred mosquito biting prevention methods. Low educational
level, income, poor living conditions and limitations in solid waste disposal methods were
recognized as potential risk factors for high infection rates of dengue in this population. Special
focus should be given to these key areas by the relevant vector controlling authorities in order
to facilitate controlling of dengue outbreaks within the CMC area.
