Evaluating an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategy which was adopted for Aedes aegypti control in La Dorada, Colombia

Estimating the impact of the Information, Education and Communication strategy on Aedes aegypti infestation in homes in La Dorada, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was carried out during June and July 2008 in La Dorada; 228 houses were chosen and vector presence was measured in two ways: immature forms were captured by the rapid sweeping method in water tanks and adults were captured by active collection. A survey simultaneously measured exposure to the strategy. EPI Info 2000 was used for analysing the database so created. Prevalence ratios and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated. A relationship was found between being a housewife and not having larvae present in the home. No immature forms were found in houses where somebody washed the water tank at least once a week. There were also no larvae in homes where people had knowledge about larvae and dengue transmission. The presence of adult forms was found in houses having more than one water tank. Almost 80 % of the interviewees acquired knowledge about dengue transmission through the strategy. Although all strategy components had not been implemented, several factors were found which might have a protective effect (i.e. being related to vector absence). The study showed that the strategy achieved only partial success in La Dorada.