COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL STRATEGIES OF DENGUE INFECTION IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Dengue is a vector-borne disease caused by a rapidly-spreading virus. Dengue vector control is considered the most efficient way for limiting and curbing the spread of the dengue virus. This study aimed to determine the perception of the Malaysian community towards control measures of mosquitoes and the utilisation of biocontrol. A total of 402 respondents in Putrajaya and Selangor participated in the survey. The questionnaire was broadly divided into three sections: Knowledge of biological control, respondent profiles, knowledge of dengue fever prevention, and the utilisation of insecticide for mosquito control. Most of the respondents (83.0%) expressed concern regarding the effects of fogging activities on their health, whereas slightly more than half (56.0%) posited that fogging activities may have adverse environmental effects. The fogging method was reported as the most frequent method (29.2%) employed in controlling the mosquito population. Biocontrol with guppy fish scored (15.5%) and ABATE (mosquito larvae insecticide) (28.9%) were the other control measures utilised. Community perspectives revealed that 5.0% of the respondents were aware of biocontrol as a control method for the mosquito population. The biological method was considered safe for public health while guppy was reported as the most effective biocontrol agent. The introduction of novel and successful community programmes is significantly influenced by the perception of control measures for mosquitoes.