Introduction:

In the year 2004 Costa Rican authorities pledged to implement an Integrated Management Strategy aimed at reducing the morbidity, mortality and social and economic burden caused by dengue outbreaks and epidemics. However, incidence data show that there has not been a sustained decrease of the disease in cantons.

Objective:

Identify the degree of compliance with the Integrated Management Strategy for dengue prevention and control in Costa Rica.

Methods:

A checklist about indicators for compliance with the Integrated Management Strategy was applied in seven leading areas of the Central Pacific Health Ministry. Additionally, interviews were conducted with local area officials.

Results:

Compliance with the Integrated Management Strategy for dengue prevention and control in the leading areas reached a maximum score of 78%. The components with the lowest compliance values were integrated vector management and social communication.

Conclusions:

A large number of barriers hamper compliance with Integrated Management Strategy indicators on the local level. Greater support by the central and regional levels is therefore required to articulate the various components and achieve local objectives and goals.

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