Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108706

Helena J. Chapman, BS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, University of Florida, 1329 SW 16th Street, P.O. Box 100177, Gainesville, FL 32610-0177, 352-336-6113, hchapman@phhp.ufl.edu and Bienvenido A. Veras, MD, Servicio de Epidemiología, Hospital José María Cabral y Báez, Carretera Luperón No. 28, Gurabo, Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Background: Dengue is an acute vector-borne disease of Family Flaviviridae, common to tropical and subtropical geographic regions. Increasing trends of co-circulating viral strains and Aedes aegypti mosquito distributions affect health with risk of transmission to over 2.5 billion individuals. This study examines protective behaviors against mosquito infections utilized by citizens toward reduced risk of Dengue infection in the Dominican Republic. Methods: Case-control study (2005). Surveys and semi-structured interviews examined daily practices in vigilance for protection against mosquito infections. Collected data identified demographics, daily personal protective routines and interactions with health professionals. Results: Preliminary statistical findings suggested variations in socioeconomic status, age, prior Dengue exposure status and number of social networks. Personal protection strategies were generally utilized (clothing, repellent, nets, candles), but screens were not implemented. Government fumigation was rarely seen unless purchased by the individual. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggested that personal utilization of protective behaviors may reduce risk of infection. Other strategies performed within the house and patio, such as eliminating standing bodies of water around patio or covering water tanks, may be evidence of effective dissemination of health information. Strong public health programs may be essential to increasing community awareness of the potential severity of this infectious disease.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of the presentation, the participant will be able to

• List 3 methods utilized by citizens for mosquito protection in the Dominican Republic.
• Describe the perception of risk and respective behavior changes toward mosquito protection utilized by citizens in the Dominican Republic.
• Describe the public health campaigns and successful strategies to promote community health as they relate to Dengue in the Dominican Republic.

Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation