title: Use and acceptance of long lasting insecticidal net screens for dengue prevention in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dengue, recognized by the WHO as the most important mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, is a growing problem. Currently, the only effective way of preventing dengue is vector control. Standard methods have shown limited effect, and there have been calls to develop new integrated vector management approaches. One novel tool, protecting houses with long lasting insecticidal screens on doors and windows, is being trialled in a cluster randomised controlled trial by a joint UADY/WHO TDR/IDRC study in various districts of Acapulco, Mexico, with exceptionally high levels of crime and insecurity.This study investigated the community's perspectives of long lasting insecticidal screens on doors and windows in homes and in schools, in order to ascertain their acceptability, to identify challenges to further implementation and opportunities for future improvements.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a sequential mixed-methods study. The quantitative arm contained a satisfaction survey administered to 288 houses that had received the intervention examining their perspectives of both the intervention and dengue prevention in general. The qualitative arm consisted of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with those who had accepted the intervention and key informant interviews with: schoolteachers to discuss the use of the screens in schools, program staff, and community members who had refused the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall satisfaction and acceptance of the screens was very high, with only some operational and technical complaints relating to screen fragility and the installation process. However, the wider social context of urban violence and insecurity was a major barrier to screen acceptance. Lack of information dissemination and community collaboration were identified as project weaknesses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The screens are widely accepted by the population, but the project implementation could be improved by reassuring the community of its legitimacy in the context of insecurity. More community engagement and better information sharing structures are needed.The screens could be a major new dengue prevention tool suitable for widespread use, if further research supports their entomological and epidemiological effectiveness and their acceptability in different social and environmental contexts. Further research is needed looking at the impact of insecurity of dengue prevention programmes.
authors.forename: Catrin H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benítez-Valladares
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guillermo-May
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dzul-Manzanilla
authors.forename: Azael
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Che-Mendoza
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrera-Pérez
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Selem-Salas
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chablé-Santos
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sommerfeld
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kroeger
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Dempsey
authors.forename: Anuar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medina-Barreiro
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil Km, 15,5, Mérida C,P, 97315, Mexico. pablo_manrique2000@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manrique-Saide
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000330:Aedes; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D003153:Community Health Services; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007303:Insect Vectors; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires