Dengue awareness, preventive behaviours and Aedes breeding opportunities among slums and slum-like pockets in Delhi, India: a formative assessment.

BACKGROUND

India is endemic for dengue. The present formative study reports awareness and practices of people regarding dengue and its prevention, personal protection behaviours and peoples' exposure to dengue-related health promotion activities.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of 1194 households randomly selected from 20 slum clusters in Delhi. Data were collected from an adult member of the household through an interviewer-administered, pre-tested questionnaire. An observation checklist was used to identify potential breeding sources.

RESULTS

People were aware that dengue is transmitted through mosquitoes and sources of breeding (clean, stagnant water -60.1%, domestic water containers -18.7%, coolers -15.0%). Each house had at least one potential source of mosquito breeding. Using mosquito repellents (83.3%) was the most common personal protection behaviour. Peoples' participation is limited in the mosquito prevention and health promotion activities carried out by the local municipality. Still, participation resulted in positive behavioural change.

CONCLUSIONS

While people were aware of dengue transmission, preventive measures against mosquito breeding were not satisfactory. People could not relate their existing knowledge on dengue to their household surroundings, and their awareness had not been translated to behavioural change. Community participation is limited, but is significant in the prevention and control of dengue.