Awareness and perception of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti as a dengue control method among residents of Yogyakarta Municipality 10.55131/jphd/2022/200205

Main Article Content

Habibi Rohman Rosyad
Alan Frederick Geater
Citra Indriani
Riris Andono Ahmad

Abstract

Dengue is an important communicable disease in Indonesia with an escalating annual incidence. Between 2016 and 2017, a new dengue control method using Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti was implemented in Yogyakarta Municipality. This study aimed to assess community awareness and perception about Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti release as a method of dengue control being implemented in their locality, and to identify the influencing factors.  A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019 among 484 households in Yogyakarta Municipality. Data were gathered using an electronic data collection tool through face-to-face interviews and direct observations under written informed consent. Weighted estimation and finite population correction were applied in the analysis. Approximately, 23.4% of respondents were aware of the recent Wolbachia-based mosquito control program. After being informed about the nature of the control program, 58% of respondents expressed some concern about the possible harmful effects of the release of infected mosquitoes. Concern over possible harmful effects was associated with older age (aOR=1.76, CI=1.04-2.99), a smaller family (aOR=1.86, CI=1.17-2.95), low income (aOR=1.63, CI=1.04-2.57), having an open vegetated area adjacent to the house (aOR=2.02, CI=1.16-3.51), not being aware (aOR=2.26, 95% CI=1.28-3.98) and having low knowledge (aOR=3.00, CI=1.38-6.53) of the Wolbachia-based mosquito control program, and perceiving a recent increase in the mosquito population (aOR=2.94, CI=1.43-6.03). In conclusion, awareness of the Wolbachia-based dengue control activities was low two years after it was implemented, and low knowledge had a strong association with concern over the possible harmful effects of the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Long-term community engagement efforts should be made to maintain public awareness and understanding of the Wolbachia-based biocontrol method.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Rosyad HR, Geater AF, Indriani C, Ahmad RA. Awareness and perception of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti as a dengue control method among residents of Yogyakarta Municipality: 10.55131/jphd/2022/200205. J Public Hlth Dev [Internet]. 2022 May 3 [cited 2024 Oct. 7];20(2):54-71. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/AIHD-MU/article/view/256197
Section
Original Articles
Author Biographies

Habibi Rohman Rosyad, Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Alan Frederick Geater, Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Citra Indriani, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing,  Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

Riris Andono Ahmad, Center for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

Center for Tropical Medicine,  Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

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