Entomological survey of artificial container breeding sites of dengue vectors in Batasan Hills, Quezon City

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Dengue fever remains a public health problem in the Philippines. Eliminating key container artificial breeding sites of mosquito vectors is a vital part of dengue control. The objective of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to conduct an entomological survey of artificial container breeding sites of Aedes mosquitoes in households of two puroks in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. METHODS: All potential artificial container breeding sites of dengue in each household were inspected for mosquito larvae. Water was sampled from all containers that had mosquito larvae. Water was sampled from all containers that had mosquito larvae and the larval species determined through microscopic examination. Using the World Health Organization list of recognized containers, each container was classified as recognized or an unrecognized container. RESULTS: The larval indices computed were container index = 6.4%, household index = 23.9% and Breteau index = 29%. The proportion of containers positive for A. aegypti larvae was significantly higher for the unrecognized containers (9.9%) than that of the recognized containers (3.9%) (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The high household index and Breteau index indicate that the potential for dengue transmission is high in the study area. Unrecognized artificial containers contributed significantly to the number of Aedes breeding sites. "Search-and-destroy" campaigns in the community should be expanded to include these containers. Crafting specific vector control messages that address the problem of particular unrecognized containers as well as those of recognized containers with the highest proportion positive for Aedes larvae will also aid dengue control and prevention. Repeat surveys to monitor larval indices may be used to help ascertain the effectiveness of these messages in decreasing mosquito breeding sites.