Abstract

GARCIA MELIAN, Maricel et al. The environmental component of an integrated surveillance for the control and prevention of dengue fever. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2007, vol.45, n.1. ISSN 0253-1751.

The results of the design and testing of the environmental component of the integrated surveillance system for the prevention and control of dengue fever in “Efraín Mayor'” health area in Cotorro municipality, City of Havana, Cuba, were presented in this paper. The surveillance system was tested in the course of stages 69 th to 76 th of the Campaign for Vectors Control. Seven environmental indicators were used. For data collection, 91-06 statistical form used by the workers of the Campaign was modified, and the observation of new environmental elements in his daily work was incorporated. The blocks were classified by the results of every indicator and two integrated indicators reflecting environmental conditions in and out of the house were developed to facilitating environmental management. In the study of association between summary indicators and the integrated indicator of the inner environment of the house, with or without mosquito foci, it was found that the percentage of unprotected water depots per block was the statistically significant association. A tendency to improved environmental conditions both inside and outside the houses was observed. The environmental component of the surveillance system was useful to help to eliminate or decrease the influence of environmental conditions that can favor the creation of Aedes aegypti mosquito foci. The results indicated the need to improve the education and mobilization of the community for the solution of some of the problems detected.

Keywords : Environmental surveillance; dengue; environmental indicators.