Ecobiosocial Approach for Dengue Vector Control

Dengue is a major public health concern in the Region of the Americas. Working in a dengue endemic area of Colombia, the Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud (CEIS) Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá conducted a multisite study focused on improved dengue prevention. CCGHE and Fundacion Santa Fe d Bogota (FSFB) partnered to develop a novel application to collect data on host ecological, biological, and social (eco-bio-social) determinants of vector density (as a proxy to dengue transmission) and to develop and evaluate a community-centered management intervention directed at vector control.

Field workers used emocha to survey households in 4 Colombian cities on vector conditions and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of household members regarding vector control. Colombian scientists and community healthworkers were trained on using emocha to collect demographic and entomological data during dry and rainy seasons. Geotagging functionality and the device's camera helped scientsts compare larvae and pupa counts in the same location from one season to the other and have access to real time data. Emocha linked participant and household data to GPS coordinates to send alerts to field workers and personalized counseling interventions and appointment reminders to household participants' phones.