Epidemic of Dengue and preventive measures: a study based in the Kalmunai RDHS area, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Kalmunai RDHS area is identified as a vulnerable zone where number of vector-borne diseases were reported in the recent past. Many people including children were affected in terms of death and hospitalization in the region. Thus, this study significantly focuses on why the epidemic of dengue is extensive even though, the dengue prevention activities are carried out by the respective health institutions in the area of research. The main objective of this study is to identify the recent trend of spreading dengue, and to explore the prevention activities carried out by the Kalmunai RDHS. Data for this research have been gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The observation and the key informant interviews have done for collecting primary data. As a secondary data, the statistical report on dengue has been collected from regional epidemiology unit of Kalmunai RDHS office, and also relevant secondary information have been gathered from newspaper, literature, electronic Sources, recently conducted researches and reports. Finally, the study found that there were some key preventive measures made and followed up by all MOHs in the region, such as, awareness programs; Cleaning campaign and Shramadhana activities; house to house inspection and issuing handbills and leaflets, public announcements and other relevant actions were taken, especially during the National Dengue Week and National Mosquito Control week and Fogging / spraying DTI chemicals to the breeding sites and highly affected areas were identified by the Public Health Inspectors. Further, this research can be extended in future to discover new results and findings which may vary from existing knowledge of this study.