Knowledge, perceptions, and practices with respect to the prevention of dengue in a mid-Pacific coastal village of Costa Rica.

Dengue fever is the fastest spreading, most prevalent and deadly arthropod-borne viral disease worldwide, present in over 125 countries. In 2013, Costa Rica is experiencing the highest number of Dengue infections since the virus's reintroduction to the country in 1993. This study evaluated the Dengue-related knowledge of 320 community members, and polled opinions on how to better educate and mobilize the community on Dengue prevention in Quebrada Ganado, Costa Rica during March-May, 2013. In addition, property inspections were used to find relationships between knowledge or opinions and presence ofAedes breeding sites. Results showed that while citizens knew the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that reproduce near water, they lacked knowledge on Aedes habits and confused it with other mosquitoes. Eighty-one percent of respondents assumed some responsibility for dengue prevention. Suggestions for improved education included consistent and continual information on the risks and dangers dengue poses to an individual. Characteristics relating to households with more positive breeding sites were: lower education level, higher prevalence of dengue infections in the household, lesser knowledge of dengue symptoms, a lower rating on the dangers of dengue and a lower rating on the importance of preventative actions. While a range of prevention methods are implemented, active community involvement is highly important for successful Dengue prevention. Continual evaluation is necessary to make more immediate, long-term behavioral societal changes, and to maximize the economic resources spent on Dengue prevention.

Knowledge, perceptions, and practices with respect to the prevention of dengue in a mid-Pacific coastal village of Costa Rica / Conocimientos, percepciones y prácticas para prevenir el dengue en un pueblo costero del Pacífico central de Costa Rica

Dengue fever is the fastest spreading, most prevalent and deadly arthropod-borne viral disease worldwide, present in over 125 countries. In 2013, Costa Rica is experiencing the highest number of Dengue infections since the virus’s reintroduction to the country in 1993. This study evaluated the Dengue-related knowledge of 320 community members, and polled opinions on how to better educate and mobilize the community on Dengue prevention in Quebrada Ganado, Costa Rica during March-May, 2013. In addition, property inspections were used to find relationships between knowledge or opinions and presence of Aedes breeding sites. Results showed that while citizens knew the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that reproduce near water, they lacked knowledge on Aedes habits and confused it with other mosquitoes. Eighty-one percent of respondents assumed some responsibility for dengue prevention. Suggestions for improved education included consistent and continual information on the risks and dangers dengue poses to an individual. Characteristics relating to households with more positive breeding sites were: lower education level, higher prevalence of dengue infections in the household, lesser knowledge of dengue symptoms, a lower rating on the dangers of dengue and a lower rating on the importance of preventative actions. While a range of prevention methods are implemented, active community involvement is highly important for successful Dengue prevention. Continual evaluation is necessary to make more immediate, long-term behavioral societal changes, and to maximize the economic resources spent on Dengue prevention. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (3): 859-867. Epub 2014 September 01.

Entre las enfermedades virales transmitidas por artrópodos, el dengue es la más mortal y de difusión más rápida en el mundo. Es transmitida por los mosquitos Aedes, y está presente en más de 125 países. En 2013, Costa Rica tuvo el mayor porcentaje de casos de dengue desde la reintroducción del virus al país en 1993. Este estudio evaluó el conocimiento de 320 miembros de la comunidad costera de Quebrada Ganado, Costa Rica, quienes dieron sus opiniones acerca de cómo mejorar la educación y movilizar la comunidad en la prevención del dengue durante marzo y abril 2013. Además, mediante inspecciones de propiedades se trató de hallar conexiones entre el conocimiento u opiniones y la presencia de criaderos de Aedes. Aunque los habitantes sabían que el virus es transmitido por los mosquitos que se reproducen cerca del agua, no reconocían los hábitos del mosquito y lo confundían con otros mosquitos. El 81% acepta la responsabilidad por la prevención del dengue. Sugerencias para mejorar la educación incluyeron: información continua y frecuente sobre los riesgos, peligros y daños a la salud. Las características relacionadas con las propiedades que tenían más criaderos fueron: menor nivel de educación, mayor frecuencia de infecciones con dengue, menor entendimiento de los síntomas del dengue, menor calificación dada a los peligros del dengue y menor calificación dada a la importancia de las acciones preventivas. Mientras se pone en práctica una gama amplia de métodos de prevención del dengue, la participación activa de la comunidad es sumamente importante para el éxito de estas actividades. La evaluación continua es necesaria para lograr cambios inmediatos y a largo plazo en el comportamiento social y para aprovechar mejor los recursos económicos invertidos en la prevención del dengue.