Variation in Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera, Culicidae) infestation in artificial containers in Caxias, state of Maranhão, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a serious public health problem worldwide, with cases reported annually in tropical and subtropical regions. Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), the main vector of dengue, is a domiciliary species with high dispersal and survival capacities and can use various artificial containers as breeding sites. We assessed potential container breeding sites of A. aegypti in the municipality of Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: In the initial phase, we analyzed 900 properties in 3 neighborhoods during the dry and rainy seasons (August-October 2005 and February-April 2006, respectively). During the second sampling period, September 2006-August 2007, we used 5 assessment cycles for 300 properties in a single neighborhood. RESULTS: During the dry and rainy seasons, water-storage containers comprised 55.7% (n = 1,970) and 48.5% (n = 1,836) of the total containers inspected, and showed the highest productivity of immature A. aegypti; we found 23.7 and 106.1 individuals/container, respectively, in peridomicile sites. In intradomicile sites, water-storage containers were also the most important breeding sites with 86.4% (n = 973) and 85.6% (n = 900) of all containers and a mean of 7.9 and 108.3 individuals/container in the dry and rainy seaso-October 2006 (1,342). The highest number of positives (70) was recorded in May, mostly (94%) in storage containers. CONCLUSIONS: Storage containers are the principal and most productive A. aegypti breeding sites and are a major contributing factor to the maintenance of this vector in Caxias.

Variation in Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera, Culicidae) infestation in artificial containers in Caxias, state of Maranhão, Brazil / Variação da infestação de Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), (Diptera, Culicidae) em recipientes artificiais em Caxias, estado do Maranhão, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a serious public health problem worldwide, with cases reported annually in tropical and subtropical regions. Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), the main vector of dengue, is a domiciliary species with high dispersal and survival capacities and can use various artificial containers as breeding sites. We assessed potential container breeding sites of A. aegypti in the municipality of Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: In the initial phase, we analyzed 900 properties in 3 neighborhoods during the dry and rainy seasons (August-October 2005 and February-April 2006, respectively). During the second sampling period, September 2006-August 2007, we used 5 assessment cycles for 300 properties in a single neighborhood. RESULTS: During the dry and rainy seasons, water-storage containers comprised 55.7% (n = 1,970) and 48.5% (n = 1,836) of the total containers inspected, and showed the highest productivity of immature A. aegypti; we found 23.7 and 106.1 individuals/container, respectively, in peridomicile sites. In intradomicile sites, water-storage containers were also the most important breeding sites with 86.4% (n = 973) and 85.6% (n = 900) of all containers and a mean of 7.9 and 108.3 individuals/container in the dry and rainy seaso-October 2006 (1,342). The highest number of positives (70) was recorded in May, mostly (94%) in storage containers. CONCLUSIONS: Storage containers are the principal and most productive A. aegypti breeding sites and are a major contributing factor to the maintenance of this vector in Caxias.

INTRODUÇÃO: A dengue constitui de um sério problema de saúde pública mundial, com casos sendo registrados anualmente nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais. O Aedes aegypti(Linnaeus, 1762) é o principal vetor da doença, um mosquito domiciliado de fácil dispersão e sobrevivência, com capacidade de utilizar variados recipientes artificiais como criadouro. Em vista disso, neste trabalho investigou-se os tipos de recipientes potenciais criadouros de A. aegypti na Cidade de Caxias, Maranhão, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Inicialmente, a pesquisa foi desenvolvida em três bairros e 900 imóveis analisados no período da seca e das chuvas (agosto a outubro de 2005 e fevereiro a abril de 2006, respectivamente). Um segundo período de amostragem ocorreu de setembro de 2006 a agosto de 2007 em que inspeções de cinco ciclos foram desenvolvidas em um dos bairros com 300 imóveis amostrados. RESULTADOS: Os recipientes de armazenamento de água representaram 55,7% (n=1.970) e 48,5% (n=1.836) do total dos inspecionados, e maior produtividade de imaturos de A. aegypti, com proporção de 23,7 e 106,1 por recipiente no peridomicílio, nas estações seca e chuvosa respectivamente. No intradomicílio, também foi mais representativo, 86,4% (n=973) e 84,6% (n=900), apresentando média de 7,9 e 108,3 indivíduos, nas duas estações. O maior número de recipientes com água foi registrado em setembro e outubro 2006 (1.342), obtendo-se maior número de positivos (70) no mês de maio, sendo (94%) pertencentes ao grupo armazenamento. CONCLUSÕES: Armazenamento são os principais criadouros de A. aegypti, contribuindo na manutenção do vetor na cidade de Caxias, Maranhão.

Evaluation of students' knowledge as a contribution to dengue control programs.

This study describes a survey (n=700) carried out in 14 elementary schools in the municipality of Caxias, State of Maranhão, Brazil. The survey was conducted between July and December 2007 in schools from seven neighborhoods on the outskirts of the western part of the municipality, where for the past three years high densities of immature Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been recorded. The students' knowledge of dengue, its vector, and disease prevention was evaluated by targeted questionnaires. The students with the most comprehensive knowledge were found in schools in the Trizidela neighborhood, which has better social and urban conditions than the other neighborhoods. Moreover, educational campaigns are necessary to reinforce behavioral changes of the population, because the existence of breeding sites in the areas examined was mentioned, especially in the Tamarineiro neighborhood. The survey can be used to assist with new educational activities of local teams working with dengue control.

Evaluation of students' knowledge as a contribution to dengue control programs / Avaliação do conhecimento dos estudantes como contribuição ao programa de controle da dengue

Trata-se de um inquérito amostral (700 entrevistas) realizado em 14 Escolas Públicas da Rede Municipal de Ensino na cidade de Caxias, Estado do Maranhão. O inquérito foi realizado entre julho e dezembro de 2007, em escolas localizadas em sete bairros periféricos da zona oeste, os quais apresentaram registros de alta densidade de imaturos de Aedes aegypti nos últimos três anos. Avaliou-se por meio da aplicação de questionário fechado, o conhecimento dos escolares sobre o dengue, seu vetor e prevenção. Os resultados mostraram que as escolas do bairro Trizidela, com melhores condições sociais e urbanas em relação aos demais bairros periféricos, apresentaram estudantes com conhecimentos mais adequados. Contudo, as campanhas educativas são necessárias como medidas para fortalecer as mudanças de comportamento da população, pois foi mencionada a existência de criadouros nas áreas examinadas, com maior prevalência dos recipientes de armazenamento no bairro Tamarineiro. A pesquisa pode servir como subsídio para orientar novas ações educativas das equipes locais de controle do dengue.

This study describes a survey (n=700) carried out in 14 elementary schools in the municipality of Caxias, State of Maranhão, Brazil. The survey was conducted between July and December 2007 in schools from seven neighborhoods on the outskirts of the western part of the municipality, where for the past three years high densities of immature Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been recorded. The students' knowledge of dengue, its vector, and disease prevention was evaluated by targeted questionnaires. The students with the most comprehensive knowledge were found in schools in the Trizidela neighborhood, which has better social and urban conditions than the other neighborhoods. Moreover, educational campaigns are necessary to reinforce behavioral changes of the population, because the existence of breeding sites in the areas examined was mentioned, especially in the Tamarineiro neighborhood. The survey can be used to assist with new educational activities of local teams working with dengue control.