Clinical Research Directory

Implementation and Evaluation of Vector Control Methods in Kinshasa: The Case of Aedes

Arboviral diseases are viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus and are constantly spreading throughout the world, constituting a significant threat to public health. In Africa, there is very little data on the epidemiological situation of Aedes-borne diseases and programs for monitoring these diseases are very limited. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), several epidemics of yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika cases have been reported. In particular, in Kinshasa, the dengue and chikungunya viruses have previously been detected in patients with undifferentiated fevers and several studies have shown entomological transmission indices above the criteria and standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). The aim of our study is to implement and evaluate different strategies to control Aedes mosquitoes at different stages of their life cycle in the city of Kinshasa. In particular, a before-and-after interventional study will be piloted and tested in the health zone of Kinshasa, with the aim of providing preliminary evidence of the impact of vector control tools. Interventions will be implemented in 400 households for each arm for 12 months. Before, after and during the interventions, entomological surveys will be conducted in 160 households in each arm to define the density of the vectors. Mosquitoes will be tested for the possible presence of arbovirus RNA (dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever). During the pre-intervention period, a serological survey for the same diseases transmitted by the Aedes mosquito will be conducted on a sample of 450 people included in two health centers of reference for the health zone of Mont Ngafula 1. A questionnaire will also be administered before and after the intervention implementation to assess the community's knowledge, attitudes and practices towards Aedes mosquito vector control and Aedes-borne diseases. The integration of the data collected within the scope of this study will provide an assessment of the feasibility and impact of the tested methods on entomological indicators, as well as determining the exposure and knowledge of Aedes-borne diseases in the Mont Ngafula 1 area.

Using Digital Technology for the Prevention of Aedes-Borne Diseases in Colombian Communities

Arboviral diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, remain an important public health concern in Colombian communities. Digital health tools such as WhatsApp may provide an opportunity to strengthen preventive behaviors and community engagement in vector control efforts. Therefore, a quasi-experimental implementation study was conducted in two endemic municipalities, Villa del Rosario and Los Patios, in Colombia, to evaluate a WhatsApp-based digital health strategy designed to support the prevention and control of Aedes-borne diseases and to promote the application of a protective coating (PC) in laundry tanks, one of the main breeding sites of Aedes mosquitoes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Whether a WhatsApp-based digital health intervention, added to community-based strategies, can improve household preventive practices against Aedes-borne diseases, compared with community strategies alone or routine vector control activities. Whether the combined use of WhatsApp messaging and community-based promotion of protective coating in laundry tanks can reduce Aedes entomological indices, compared with clusters not receiving the full intervention. Whether the intervention is feasible and acceptable for households and community participants in endemic urban settings. The study was conducted in three geographically separated clusters of approximately 3,000 - 3,500 households each. Cluster 1 received community strategies plus WhatsApp messaging, cluster 2 received community strategies only, and cluster 3 served as the control group. Protective coating was applied in clusters 1 and 2. The study included three phases: a pre-intervention baseline assessment, an intervention phase with interim assessment, and a post-intervention final evaluation and follow-up. Household surveys and entomological inspections were conducted to assess preventive practices, vector indices, and acceptance of the intervention.