title: Operational efficiency and sustainability of vector control of malaria and dengue: descriptive case studies from the Philippines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Analysis is lacking on the management of vector control systems in disease-endemic countries with respect to the efficiency and sustainability of operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three locations were selected, at the scale of province, municipality and barangay (i.e. village). Data on disease incidence, programme activities, and programme management were collected on-site through meetings and focus group discussions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adaptation of disease control strategies to the epidemiological situation per barangay, through micro-stratification, brings gains in efficiency, but should be accompanied by further capacity building on local situational analysis for better selection and targeting of vector control interventions within the barangay. An integrated approach to vector control, aiming to improve the rational use of resources, was evident with a multi-disease strategy for detection and response, and by the use of combinations of vector control methods. Collaboration within the health sector was apparent from the involvement of barangay health workers, re-orientation of job descriptions and the creation of a disease surveillance unit. The engagement of barangay leaders and use of existing community structures helped mobilize local resources and voluntary services for vector control. In one location, local authorities and the community were involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of malaria control, which triggered local programme ownership.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies that contributed to an improved efficiency and sustainability of vector control operations were: micro-stratification, integration of vector control within the health sector, a multi-disease approach, involvement of local authorities, and empowerment of communities. Capacity building on situational analysis and vector surveillance should be addressed through national policy and guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands. henk.vandenberg@wur.nl
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Velayudhan
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebol
authors.forename: Ben H G
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Catbagan
authors.forename: Romulo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Turingan
authors.forename: Marisol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tuso
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hii
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult