Tools and methods employed by community health centers in the prevention and control of zika virus infections in Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Purpose: Zika virus (ZIKV), which is mainly transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, has become a major health threat in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Brazil has been most impacted with ZIKV infections in addition to the existing mosquito-borne diseases of dengue and chikungunya. With the increase in zika virus infections, there have also been increasing numbers of infant brain abnormalities such as microcephaly associated to zika. This project aimed to investigate the various tools and methods employed by urban and rural health centers in North Eastern part of Brazil, to control and prevent zika in the community. The project also examined the effectiveness of these tools as well as the challenges that are facing the health centers based on their location. Methods & Materials: The methods of data collection involved participant-observation, interviews and questionnaires with the health workers over a period of 31 days. Secondary sources of articles and print outs on Zika were also used for reference purposes. The participants were chosen using snowball methodology. The major limitation of the study was language barrier, however this was mitigated by the use of translators. Results: The results of this study show that house visits done by community health workers is the main tool used by health centers both in urban and rural areas to prevent the spread of zika. Another method used by community health workers is the application of Pyriproxyfen powder in areas with standing water. Although both of these methods were perceived to be effective, most health workers insisted that the lack of education and understanding of the disease among health workers and the public in general is the major limiting factor for making progress in controlling infections. Conclusion: Outbreak response and control demand the primary forces such as community health workers to be well informed and educated about the disease. In addition, in most developing countries, the rural health centers are not as equipped as urban centers in the fight against zika and as the virus evolves genetically and habitually, rural areas are at a high stake of future outbreaks.