Community participation and social engagement in the prevention and control of dengue fever in rural Cambodia.

ABSTRACT

The prevention and control strategies for dengue fever require community involvement to succeed.Drawing on data collected in 2003–2004 as part of an ethnographic study in eastern Cambodia, weexplore the role of community participation and the factors that influence its success in the preventionand control of dengue fever in Cambodia. Community participation has the potential for effective andefficient control of the disease, but this is subject to how communities are engaged in specific activities. Historical, political, social and economic factors have undermined the social institutions and conventionsin the study villages that could facilitate community involvement. In particular, poverty and differencesin local interests influence the capacity for people to be involved. Villagers regarded the maintenanceof the domestic environment as a personal responsibility and were reluctant to extend their action to awider domain. Comprehensive programmes, which draw on local institutions and understandings of community and enable community members to participate in the planning and management ofprevention and control activities, are essential to ensure programme sustainability and effectiveness.