Present situation of vector-control management in Bangladesh: a wake up call.
OBJECTIVE
Kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis is one of the major vector-borne diseases in Bangladesh. The disease is transmitted by sandfly. The incidence of the disease, which has been increasing since the early eighties, must be reduced by taking adequate vector-control measures. The objective of the present study was to identify the favorable factors and the constraints of present vector-control management in Bangladesh.


METHODS
Purposively selected senior entomologist and retired senior entomologist at central level, civil surgeons, entotechnicians, health inspectors and spray men from kala-azar-endemic districts, community leaders, and NGO representatives were key informants of the study. A household survey to learn about knowledge and perceptions of the people about kala-azar vector was carried out, using a structured questionnaire, in 202 randomly selected households.


RESULTS
Practically, there was no vector-control activity in the nine most kala-azar-endemic districts of Bangladesh. Inadequate human resources, lack of logistics, and unavailability of funds for vector control were the major constraints. Community perception about kala-azar vector was poor. However, the use of bednets in the community was high. No private organization was involved in kala-azar vector control. Knowledge of the spray men about the insecticide-spraying technique was also unsatisfactory.


CONCLUSIONS
Kala-azar vector control in Bangladesh needs immediate attention of policy-makers and donors, otherwise, elimination of kala-azar from the country by 2015 may not be achievable.
Mondal
Dinesh
D
Parasitology Laboratory, Laboratory Sciences Division, International Centre For Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh. din63d@icddrb.org
Alam
Mohammad Shafiul
MS
Karim
Zehadul
Z
Haque
Rashidul
R
Boelaert
Marleen
M
Kroeger
Axel
A
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004772:Entomology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007891:Leishmania / Q000187:drug effects; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D011634:Public Health; D012040:Regional Health Planning