Dom Nazri Che, Dapari Rahmat, Shapien Muhamad Shahrizal, Harun Qamarul Nazri, Salleh Siti Aekbal, Aljaafre Ahmad Falah
Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Malaysia.
Integrated Mosquito Research Group (I-MeRGe), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan Selangor, Puncak Alam, Malaysia.
PLoS One. 2025 Apr 30;20(4):e0322321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322321. eCollection 2025.
Dengue fever remains a significant public health issue in Malaysia, particularly in rural areas where unique challenges such as dispersed populations, limited infrastructure, and distinct socio-cultural dynamics complicate vector control efforts. Drone technology has emerged as an innovative tool for dengue management, offering capabilities such as aerial surveillance and targeted interventions. However, its adoption in rural communities is hindered by barriers related to community engagement and acceptance. This study aims to evaluate the barriers and opportunities for community engagement in drone-based dengue management within rural Malaysian settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted across six states representing rural Malaysia: Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Kedah, and Perlis. A total of 190 participants were recruited using a stratified purposive sampling method. Data were collected via structured questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of drone technology, and willingness to engage in dengue prevention activities, such as downloading a dengue-related application or participating in mosquito control training programs. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze factors influencing community engagement. Participants were predominantly female (67.4%) and of Malay ethnicity (>90%). Younger participants (<40 years) showed significantly lower willingness to participate in training programs ("Maybe" vs. "No": OR = 0.255, 95% CI: 0.067-0.968, p = 0.045), while age was not a significant predictor for app adoption. Negative perceptions of drone use and sociodemographic factors, such as housing type and residency duration, did not significantly influence willingness to engage. Despite these findings, qualitative responses highlighted concerns related to privacy, trust, and technological accessibility in rural areas. Drone-based dengue management in rural Malaysia faces challenges in community engagement, particularly among younger demographics. Tailored strategies, such as gamified training programs and targeted awareness campaigns, are necessary to address barriers and foster acceptance. These findings provide critical insights for developing inclusive and effective public health interventions leveraging drone technology in resource-limited rural settings.
登革热在马来西亚仍然是一个重大的公共卫生问题，特别是在农村地区，那里存在着诸如人口分散、基础设施有限以及独特的社会文化动态等独特挑战，使病媒控制工作变得复杂。无人机技术已成为登革热管理的一种创新工具，具备空中监测和有针对性干预等能力。然而，其在农村社区的应用受到与社区参与和接受度相关的障碍的阻碍。本研究旨在评估马来西亚农村地区基于无人机的登革热管理中社区参与的障碍和机遇。在代表马来西亚农村的六个州（吉兰丹、登嘉楼、彭亨、柔佛、吉打和玻璃市）进行了一项横断面研究。使用分层目的抽样方法共招募了190名参与者。通过结构化问卷收集数据，评估社会人口学特征、对无人机技术的看法以及参与登革热预防活动的意愿，如下载与登革热相关的应用程序或参加蚊虫控制培训项目。使用描述性统计和多项逻辑回归分析影响社区参与的因素。参与者主要为女性（67.4%）且为马来族裔（>90%）。较年轻的参与者（<40岁）参与培训项目的意愿显著较低（“也许”与“否”：OR = 0.255，95% CI：0.067 - 0.968，p = 0.045），而年龄不是应用程序采用的显著预测因素。对无人机使用的负面看法以及社会人口学因素，如住房类型和居住时间，并未显著影响参与意愿。尽管有这些发现，但定性回答突出了农村地区与隐私、信任和技术可及性相关的担忧。马来西亚农村地区基于无人机的登革热管理在社区参与方面面临挑战，特别是在较年轻人群中。需要制定量身定制的策略，如游戏化培训项目和有针对性的宣传活动，以解决障碍并促进接受。这些发现为在资源有限的农村地区利用无人机技术制定包容性和有效的公共卫生干预措施提供了关键见解。
