title: Application of eco-friendly tools and eco-bio-social strategies to control dengue vectors in urban and peri-urban settings in Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dengue is considered one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Thailand. Its incidence is increasing despite routine implementation of national dengue control programmes. This study, conducted during 2010, aimed to demonstrate an application of integrated,  community-based, eco-bio-social strategies in combination with locally-produced eco-friendly vector control tools in the dengue control programme, emphasizing urban and peri-urban settings in eastern Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three different community settings were selected and were  randomly assigned to intervention and control clusters. Key community leaders and relevant governmental authorities were approached to participate in this intervention programme. Ecohealth volunteers were identified and trained in each study community. They were selected among active community  health volunteers and were trained by public health experts to conduct vector control activities in their own communities using environmental management in combination with eco-friendly vector control tools. These trained ecohealth volunteers carried out outreach health education and vector  control during household visits. Management of public spaces and public properties, especially solid waste management, was efficiently carried out by local municipalities. Significant reduction in the pupae per person index in the intervention clusters when compared to the control ones was  used as a proxy to determine the impact of this programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our community-based dengue vector control programme demonstrated a significant reduction in the pupae per person index during entomological surveys which were conducted at two-month intervals from May 2010 for the  total of six months in the intervention and control clusters. The programme also raised awareness in applying eco-friendly vector control approaches and increased intersectoral and household participation in dengue control activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An eco-friendly dengue vector control  programme was successfully implemented in urban and peri-urban settings in Thailand, through intersectoral collaboration and practical action at household level, with a significant reduction in vector densities.
authors: Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. pkittayapong@msn.com
authors: Pattamaporn
authors: P
authors: Kittayapong
authors: Suporn
authors: S
authors: Thongyuan
authors: Phanthip
authors: P
authors: Olanratmanee
authors: Worawit
authors: W
authors: Aumchareoun
authors: Surachart
authors: S
authors: Koyadun
authors: Rungrith
authors: R
authors: Kittayapong
authors: Piyarat
authors: P
authors: Butraporn
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000458:organization & administration; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D017753:Ecosystem; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D018881:Suburban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data