House Index Research Articles

A Behavioral Research Approach to Sustainable Household Consumption in Three Bulgarian Cities

This paper aims at examining the sustainable urban consumption (SUC) of households in three Bulgarian cities and determining whether there are significant differences between their sustainable consumption patterns. A conceptual model for measuring SUC is developed with an emphasis on the behavioral component of the attitudes. As part of this, four indexes to study different dimensions of SUC are constructed, namely: Housing Index (provision of the housing with conditions for sustainable consumption); Electricity and Water Index; Food Index; Transportation Index. А Composite Behavioral Index (CBI) was also constructed from the four aforementioned indexes. The model was tested in an empirical study covering a total of 1049 households in the cities Sofia (403 households), Varna (342 households) and Svishtov (304 households). The results reveal that a relatively small portion of the households in the three cities tend to have sustainable lifestyles. Overall, the households from Varna perform the most sustainable behavior. The efficient use of electricity and water prevails the investments in sustainable housing conditions, which signals for orientation towards short term savings rather than reduction of costs in the long run. With no significant differences between the cities, the sustainable transportation practices are least popular among the households. Sustainable food consumption, normally related to preparing at home fresh and locally produced food of mainly vegetable origin, was more widespread among the households from Varna and Svishtov. The proposed research methodology for measuring SUC can be applied both in comparative analyses of SUC for households from different settlements and regions, and for tracking the changes of SUC for households in a given settlement.

The Role of Health Education on Larval Indices and Fever Cases from Rural Area of Thrissure District, Kerala: A Quasi Randamized Control Study.

Background: Vector-borne diseases pose a devastating obstacle to human health and overall economic development. It is responsible for 17% of all infectious diseases and more than 700000 deaths annually. Among vector borne diseases Dengue fever is the most rapidly spreading with an incidence, increased 30 fold in the past 50 years. Awareness regarding dengue and its control measures through health education is one of an important component of integrated vector management. It can bring down larval indices and thereby reduce the mosquito density, and bring down the morbidity and mortality caused by mosquito borne diseases. Hence an intervention study was undertaken to study the impact of health education on larval indices and fever cases in a rural field practice area of Thrissur district Kerala. 
 Methodology: A quasi randomized control study was conducted from, January2019- March 2020 in ward 13 of Thrikkur Panchayath, Thrissur district. Total 960 households were surveyed for indoor and outdoor water holding containers and inspected for the presence of mosquito larvae. The larval indices like House Index (HI), Container Index (CI) and Breteau Index(BI) were calculated as per the procedure of WHO. The total number of fever cases were collected from these households by an interview schedule. Adult mosquitoes were also collected from the premises. Health education and demonstration classes on potential breeding sites of Aedes mosquito and methods of eliminating at household and community level were undertaken. Post intervention larval survey was also done. 
 Results: Baseline larval indices showed that all the indices i.e HI : 13.09%, CI: 5.38% and BI: 15.4% were high in the month of June and another peak of larval indices were seen in the month of November 2019 (HI:10%, CI : 7.3%, and BI :10%) Total number of self-reported fever cases were also high during the month of June (208) and July(195). The post intervention larval indices showed a considerable reduction in Breteau index from 10% to 7.5% in the month of November 2019 and in the month of February before intervention the BI was 10% and after intervention in Feb 2020 BI came to 2.5% . 
 Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in larval indices after an educational intervention.

A study to assess the Aedes mosquto diversity and the different mosquito genera in a rural area in Thrissur, Kerala

Background: Mosquito is one of the leading causes of vector borne causing infections leading to morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is the reason for spreading various viral, parasitic infections to humans. India has favorable climatic and environment conditions for mosquito breeding and in addition to these, influence of human activity has been significant in the increased breeding of mosquitoes. The objective of the study was to determine the various artificial containers which led to the Aedes mosquito larvae breeding and to understand the various mosquito genera in a rural area in Kerala.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted over a period of 4 months September, October, December and January in a ward of Kaiparambu Panchayath, Thrissur. A house-to-house survey was done where every water holding containers outdoor and indoor of each house was inspected, looked for larvae, collected and examined. Adult mosquitoes were also collected from the premises.Results: Total house examined were 520 over four months and positive containers were 271. The House index, Container index and Breteau index for the 4 months were moderate to high risk level. Maximum breeding was seen in plastic containers and the most common species identified during larval and adult stages from indoor and outdoor were Aedes albopictus.Conclusions: Mosquitoes are the main risk for various vector borne diseases. Influence of manmade habitats has been significant in the increase of mosquito diversity. By educating the people, appropriate waste management and reducing use of plastics can to extent reduce the problems associated.

Índices de abundancia de larvas y pupas de Aedes Aegypti (diptera: Culicidae) en la ciudad de Córdoba

Background: In 1995, Aedes aegypti, vector of the Flavivirus Dengue and Yellow Fever, reached the province. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify the vector abundarice in order to determine the level of risk and to evaluate the prevention and control actlons implemented. Objectives: To determine the vector abundance breeding place preferences. Materials and Methods: Surveys of Ae. aegypti larva-pupa-infested containers were conducted in sta neighborhoods of Córdoba city in order to determine the House, Container, and Breteau Indices. Results: Larvae and pupae of Ae. a.egypti we re fou nd in a great variety of containers, most of which had been discarded. The House Index obtained was 47 %, whlle the percentage of water-holding containers examined that had larva or pupa was 24 %. The Breteau Index was estimated at 106 % Conclusions: According to the indices estimated, Córdoba city is In a risk situation if any infected person vith any dengue virus enters our city. Therefore, it Is necessary to lntensify the measures, mainly the sanitary education, vector surveillance and control, in order to prevent any form of dengue in the reglon

Constructing segmented rental housing indices: evidence from Beijing, China

PurposeThis paper aims to construct rental housing indices and identify market segmentation for more effective property-management strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe hedonic model was employed to construct the rental indices. Using the k-means++ and REDCAP (Regionalisation with Dynamically Constrained Agglomerative Clustering and Partitioning) approaches, the authors conducted clustering analysis and identified different market segmentation. The empirical study relied on the database of 80,212 actual rental transactions in Beijing, China, spanning 2016–2018.FindingsRental housing market segmentation may distribute across administrative boundaries. Properly segmented indices could provide a better account for the heterogeneity and spatial continuity of rental housing and as well be crucial for effective property management.Research limitations/implicationsResidential rent might not only vary over space but also interplays with housing price. It would be worth studying how the rental market functions together with the owner-occupied sector in the future.Practical implicationsResidential rental indices are of great importance for policymakers to be able to evaluate housing policies and for property managers to implement competitive strategies in the rental market. Their constructions largely depend on the analysis of market segmentation, a trade-off between housing spatial heterogeneity and continuity.Originality/valueThis paper fills the gap in knowledge concerning segmented rental indices construction, particularly in China. The spatial constrained clustering approach (REDCAP) was also initially introduced to identify regionalised market segmentation due to its superior performance.

Evaluation of insecticide treated window curtains and water container covers for dengue vector control in a large-scale cluster-randomized trial in Venezuela.

Following earlier trials indicating that their potential in dengue vector control was constrained by housing structure, a large-scale cluster-randomized trial of insecticide treated curtains (ITCs) and water jar covers (ITJCs) was undertaken in Venezuela. In Trujillo, Venezuela, 60 clusters (6223 houses total) were randomized so that 15 clusters each received either PermaNet insecticide-treated window curtains (ITCs), permanent insecticide-treated water storage jar covers (ITJCs), a combination of both ITCs and ITJCs, or no insecticide treated materials (ITMs). A further 15 clusters located at least 5km from the edge of the study site were selected to act as an external control. Entomological surveys were carried out immediately before and after intervention, and then at 6-month intervals over the following 27 months. The Breteau and House indices were used as primary outcome measures and ovitrap indices as secondary. Negative binomial regression models were used to compare cluster-level values of these indices between the trial arms. Reductions in entomological indices followed deployment of all ITMs and throughout the trial, indices in the external control arm remained substantially higher than in the ITM study arms including the internal control. Comparing the ratios of between-arm means to summarise the entomological indices throughout the study, the combined ITC+ITJC intervention had the greatest impact on the indices, with a 63% difference in the pupae per person indices between the ITC+ITJC arm and the internal control. However, coverage had fallen below 60% by 14-months post-intervention and remained below 40% for most of the remaining study period. ITMs can impact dengue vector populations in the long term, particularly when ITCs and ITJCs are deployed in combination. ClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN08474420; www.isrctn.com.

Tingkat Kepadatan Jentik Nyamuk Aedes Aegypti Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Glugur Darat

Background :The incidence of DHF in the work area of the UPT Puskesmas Glugur Darat reached 34 cases in 2018 and in 2019 increased to 52 cases. Purpose :Therefore, a research on the density of mosquito larvae was carried out with the aim of knowing the density level of Aedes aegypty mosquito larvae as a vector of dengue fever in the working area of the UPT Puskesmas Glugur Darat.Methods : The type of research used in this research is descriptive research with a cross sectional approach. This research was conducted in the working area of the UPT Puskesmas Glugur Darat. Result :Obtained the value of HI (House Index) 20%, CI (Container Index) 20%, BI (Bruteu Index) 6%, and DF (Density Figure) 4 as medium density. Prevention is to carry out PSN or eradication of mosquito nests.Conclusion :The number of positive larva house in the working area of the UPT Puskesmas Glugur Darat is 6 out of 30 houses, the CI value obtained is 20%. It is known that the number of positive containers larvae is 6 of 30 containers examined, the BI value in the work area of the UPT Puskesmas Glugur Darat is 6%, the value of the Density Figure/ <osquito larva density in the UPT Puskesmas Glugur Darat work area is at a value of 4 which means areas have Medium Density.

Dengue Fever Outbreak in Al-Garrahi District, Al-Hudaydah Governorate, Yemen, 2019

Background Dengue fever (DF) has re-emerged in Yemen with a higher frequency during the last years. On November 6, 2019, an increased number of suspected DF cases in Al-Garrahi district was reported. On November 7, 2019, a team was sent to investigate. Objective This study aims to confirm the existence of an outbreak, describe the outbreak characteristics, and recommend suitable intervention for control. Methods A descriptive study was conducted. The World Health Organization case definition was used to identify patients. An active search from house to house, along with entomological investigation and health education, was conducted. A line list was used to collect data. Blood specimens were collected and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for dengue IgM. Frequency, percentage, and rates were calculated, and the population from the central statistical organization was used. Results A total of 2067 cases met the case definition. Of them, 51% were males and 32% were aged <10 years. All patients complained of fever, headache, and arthralgia (100%), followed by myalgia and retro-orbital pain (67% and 39%, respectively). The first case patient was in week 41, and the peak was reached with 1058 patients in week 46. The overall attack rate was 16 of 1000, significantly higher among patients aged 10 years to <50 years and ≥50 years compared with patients aged <10 years (17 and 19/1000 vs 14/1000; P<.001). Of 20 tested blood samples, 12 (60%) were IgM positive. The house index was 70%, the container index was 50%, and the Breteau index was 140. Vector control measures with community participation were intensified in week 46, and patient cases decreased to 140 in week 48. Conclusions A dengue outbreak was confirmed in Al-Garrahi district. The spread of infection was facilitated by storing water and the presence of indoor larvae. The findings emphasize the importance of health awareness and community participation for containing DF outbreaks.

POTENTIAL BREEDING SITES AND ORGANOPHOSPHATE RESISTANCE STATUS OF AEDES SPP. IN YOGYAKARTA

Background: The discovery of Aedes spp. in the breeding sites is the leading cause of the high incidence of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in Yogyakarta in 2019. This incidence can be calculated based on the Container Index (CI), House Index (HI), and Breteau Index (BI). Efforts to control the density of Aedes spp. The use of organophosphate insecticides in the long term and with the wrong dose will cause resistance. Purpose: This research was conducted to determine the potential breeding sites, the density, and the organophosphate resistance status of Aedes spp. in Yogyakarta. Methods: A literature review with the criteria of referenced journals from 2011-2020, national journals accredited at least Sinta 5 to Sinta 1 and international journals at least Q4 to Q1. Results: This study shows that the potential breeding sites for Aedes spp. in Yogyakarta, in general, are both indoors or outdoors, stagnant clean water, opened, not exposed to direct sunlight, and the duration of not eradicating the mosquito nests > 1 month. Aedes spp. in Yogyakarta has a high population density, so it is at high risk of transmitting dengue cases. The resistance status of Aedes spp. in various regions of Yogyakarta are categorized as resistant to organophosphate insecticides. Conclusion: Literature review requires field research also, implementation of prevention through the mosquito nests eradication program and 3M (Shutting, Draining, and Burying), and the replacement of insecticides types other than organophosphates.

Entomological outcomes of cluster-randomised, community-driven dengue vector-suppression interventions in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia.

Cambodia has one of the highest dengue infection rates in Southeast Asia. Here we report quantitative entomological results of a large-scale cluster-randomised trial assessing the impact on vector populations of a package of vector control interventions including larvivorous guppy fish in household water containers, mosquito trapping with gravid-ovitraps, solid waste management, breeding-container coverage through community education and engagement for behavioural change, particularly through the participation of school children. These activities resulted in major reductions in Container Index, House Index, Breteau Index, Pupal Index and Adult Index (all p-values 0.002 or lower) in the Intervention Arm compared with the Control Arm in a series of household surveys conducted over a follow-up period of more than one year, although the project was not able to measure the longer-term sustainability of the interventions. Despite comparative reductions in Adult Index between the study arms, the Adult Index was higher in the Intervention Arm in the final household survey than in the first household survey. This package of biophysical and community engagement interventions was highly effective in reducing entomological indices for dengue compared with the control group, but caution is required in extrapolating the reduction in household Adult Index to a reduction in the overall population of adult Aedes mosquitoes, and in interpreting the relationship between a reduction in entomological indices and a reduction in the number of dengue cases. The package of interventions should be trialled in other locations.

Characterization of Healthy Housing in Africa: Method, Profiles, and Determinants.

Housing is a key social determinant of health with implications for both physical and mental health. The measurement of healthy housing and studies characterizing the same in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are uncommon. This study described a methodological approach employed in the assessment and characterization of healthy housing in SSA using the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data for 15 countries and explored healthy housing determinants using a multiple survey-weighted logistic regression analysis. For all countries, we demonstrated that the healthy housing index developed using factor analysis reasonably satisfies both reliability and validity tests and can therefore be used to describe the distribution of healthy housing across different groups and in understanding the linkage with individual health outcomes. We infer from the results that unhealthy housing remains quite high in most SSA countries. Having a male head of the household was associated with decreased odds of healthy housing in Burkina Faso (OR = 0.80, CI = 0.68–0.95), Cameroon (OR = 0.65, CI = 0.57, 0.76), Malawi (OR = 0.70, CI = 0.64–0.78), and Senegal (OR = 0.62, CI = 0.51–0.74). Further, increasing household size was associated with reducing odds of healthy housing in Kenya (OR = 0.53, CI = 0.44–0.65), Namibia (OR = 0.34, CI = 0.24–0.48), Nigeria (OR = 0.57, CI = 0.46–0.71), and Uganda (OR = 0.79, CI = 0.67–0.94). Across all countries, household wealth was a strong determinant of healthy housing, with middle and rich households having higher odds of residing in healthy homes compared to poor households. Odds ratios ranged from 3.63 (CI = 2.96–4.44) for households in the middle wealth group in the DRC to 2812.2 (CI = 1634.8–4837.7) in Namibia’s wealthiest households. For other factors, the analysis also showed variation across countries. Our findings provide timely insights for the implementation of housing policies across SSA countries, drawing attention to aspects of housing that would promote occupant health and wellbeing. Beyond the contribution to the measurement of healthy housing in SSA, our paper highlights key policy and program issues that need further interrogation in the search for pathways to addressing the healthy housing deficit across most SSA countries. This has become critical amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where access to healthy housing is pivotal in its control.

Aedes aegypti abundance, larval indices and risk for dengue virus transmission in Kinondoni district, Tanzania

BackgroundTanzania has experienced periodic dengue outbreaks with increased incidence since 2010. However, there is limited information on vector dynamics and transmission risk in most parts of the country. This study was conducted to determine Aedes mosquito abundance, larval indices and dengue virus infection rate as risk indicators for DENV transmission in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in three wards of Kinondoni district in Tanzania between December 2019 and January 2020. In each ward, three streets were randomly selected for adult and immature mosquito sampling. The adult mosquitoes were collected using Mosquito Magnet traps, while mosquito larvae and pupae were inspected in water-holding containers in the selected household compounds. The detection of dengue virus (DENV) in female Aedes mosquitoes was done using a one-step reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) method.ResultsOf the 1416 adult female mosquitoes collected, Ae. aegypti accounted for 16.8% (n = 238). A total of 333 water-holding containers were inspected and 201 (60.4%) had at least an Aedes larvae or pupae. Water-holding containers supporting the breeding of Aedes larvae and pupae included discarded car tires, flowerpots and small and large plastic containers. The overall House Index, Container Index and Breteau Index were 55.1%, 60.4% and 114.2, respectively. None of the 763 female Aedes mosquitoes tested by RT–PCR was found to be infected with DENV.ConclusionThe presence and abundance Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and the large proportion of water-holding containers infested with the mosquito larvae and pupae put residents of Kinondoni district at high risk of DENV transmission. Our findings emphasize the need for continuous mosquito vector surveillance and control to prevent the possibility of future DENV outbreaks in Tanzania.

Association of Perinatal Factors With Severe Obesity and Dyslipidemia in Adulthood.

Background:Perinatal factors including gestational age, birthweight, size for gestational age, delivery route, maternal parity, maternal age, maternal education, socioeconomic status, race, and sex, are associated with the future risk of obesity and co-morbid conditions. This study evaluated the relationship of birthweight for gestational age and perinatal factors with severe obesity and dyslipidemia in adulthood.Methods:We conducted a population-based, retrospective birth cohort study of infants born to residents of Olmsted County, MN between 1976 and 1982. Outcomes were assessed after age 18 years until October 2020, including severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) and dyslipidemia (total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL, non-high density lipoprotein [non-HDL] cholesterol ≥145 mg/dL or HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL). We obtained mother’s age, education level, and parity as well as newborn sex, race, type of delivery, single/multiple birth, gestational age, and birthweight from birth certificate data. Individual-level socioeconomic status (SES) of the household at birth was determined with the HOUSES index.Results:Of 10 938 birth cohort subjects, 7394 had clinic visits after age 18 years and were included, with 2630 having severe obesity (n = 798) or dyslipidemia (n = 2357) as adults. In multivariable models, female sex, singleton birth, less maternal education, and lower SES defined by HOUSES were independently associated with an increased risk of severe obesity in adulthood. Non-white race, singleton birth, and lower birthweight were independently associated with adult dyslipidemia. Birthweight for gestational age was not associated with severe obesity or dyslipidemia.Conclusion:Perinatal factors were associated with both severe obesity and dyslipidemia in adulthood. Lower SES at birth was predictive of severe obesity in adulthood, highlighting the opportunity to investigate modifiable perinatal social determinants to reduce the risk of severe obesity.

Distribution and Abundance of Dengue Vector(S) Mosquito and Their Breeding Preferences in Five Selected Administrative Wards of Dhaka North City Corporation, Bangladesh

Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is the most significant arising arboviral disease which is spread from dengue virus infection. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the known vectors of dengue virus worldwide. A house based entomological survey was conducted to identify the distribution, abundance of dengue vector(s) mosquitoes and their preferable breeding sites in five selected wards at Dhaka North City Corporation, during July to December 2019. Stegomyia indices were calculated using the exact binomial test. Association between climatic factors and Aedes species abundance were also studied. The highest prevalence of Aedes mosquitoes were found in July. We did not found any Ae.albopictus during the study period. The overall house index (HI), container index, and Breteau index were found 20, 2 and 31 respectively, during the survey period. The present study did not find any significant association (p &gt; 0.05) with meteorological factors (mean temperature, lag rainfall &amp; relative humidity) and the density of Aedes mosquitoes. It is not possible to get an exact idea of the dengue outbreak through a short-term Aedes mosquito survey. So, this study suggests year-long mosquito surveillance program to acquire more conception of dengue transmission and how dengue vector(s) species abundance playing the role.

Ecological and social determinants of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larval habitat in northeastern India

Dengue, the arboviral threat to public health affecting millions of people globally, is transmitted by the bite of female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The factors contributing to Ae. spp. abundance is variable, region-specific, and needs to be identified region-wise for effective vector control programs. In this study, based on dengue fever case statistics from the previous years, we selected two representatives of natural (forest and riverine) and two urbanized (Oil industrial and tea-estates) areas of upper Brahmaputra valley and dengue prone Kamrup district in the lower Brahmaputra valley of Assam for mosquito surveillance through container search. The count of both species was the highest in the urbanized regions having higher container habitats. All the entomological indices, House index, Container index, and Breteau index were higher than the WHO criteria of dengue sensitive areas from pre-monsoon to post-monsoon seasons. The temperature was the most prominent driver having a significant correlation with entomological indices with R2 values ranging from 0.825 to 0.965 in urbanized areas and 0.723 to 0.801in natural areas, followed by rainfall and humidity. Response survey of inhabitants of the study sites revealed the status of awareness and practice regarding the vector habitats. The results indicated that the combined action of urbanization, social factors, and changes in meteorological factors have primarily contributed to the large population size of dengue vectors throughout the year. Adaptive expansion of the Aedes vectors warrants the adoption of necessary precautionary measures to prevent colonization by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in urbanized areas to prevent Aedes-borne diseases, dengue, chikungunya, and zika.

Ecology, Distribution and Risk of Transmission of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers by &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Aedes&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Mosquitoes around the Port Areas of Tema in Southern Ghana

Aedes-borne diseases remain a public health challenge for many countries globally. The extent of spread of invasive species of Aedes mosquitoes and risk of transmission of the diseases especially around the point of entry of goods such as ports is not well known in Ghana. This study investigated the ecology, distribution and risk of transmission of viral haemorrhagic fevers by Aedes mosquitoes around the port areas of Tema, Southern Ghana. The mosquitoes from this study were collected using human landing catches, ovitraps and larval collections for a period of six months. A total of 1092 containers were inspected in both seasons and of these, 237 (21.7%) were positive for mosquito larvae or pupae in rainy season while 181 (16.6%) were positive in dry season. A total of 6498 mosquitoes were collected and identified morphologically using taxonomic keys. 6038 (92.9%) were Aedes aegypti, 337 (5.2%) were Culex spp. and 123 (1.9%) were Anopheles gambiae. The Ae. aegypti larvae were found breeding in a series of water-holding containers which included disposed plastic containers, earthenware pots, car tyres, plastic barrels, plastic basins, buckets, metal drums, jerrycans and poly tank. A high proportion of Aedes aegypti eggs were found in the ovitraps during the rainy season than in the dry season in the study sites. Ae. aegypti was the most common mosquitoes biting mostly outdoors (65.6%) with more bites occurring in the rainy season (63.6%) in the two residential sites (Tema Community One and Tema New Town). The risk of transmission of viral haemorrhagic fever in the study sites was assessed using House Index, Container Index, Breteau Index and was found to be higher in Tema New town area with seasonal variations within the sites. The man-vector contact rates for the two residential sites were also found to be higher in rainy season than the dry season. These observations indicate that the risk of transmission of viral haemorrhagic fevers in the study areas is high especially in the rainy season. The implications of the findings in the formulation of future vector control programmes around the port areas in the country are discussed in the paper.

Larval ecology of Aedes mosquitoes and risk of arbovirus transmission at the port of San-pedro (Côte d’ivoire)

Mosquitoes of the genera Aedes are vectors of arboviruses. Through trade at the entry points, they spread to new areas where they can cause arbovirus epidemics. The lack of vaccine and treatment for most arboviruses makes vector control the only means of prevention. This study aimed to determine the level of infestation of Aedes mosquitoes and the risk of arbovirus by describing their larval ecology. All water containers found in activity and residential areas of the port of San Pedro were inspected for immature mosquitoes once a month from March to July 2018. Out of 227 identified potential breeding sites, 102 (44.93%) contained Aedes larvae. Abandoned containers constituted 53.92% of the sites colonized by Aedes and represented 73.43% of productivity. Sites associated with turbid water, organic debris, and those with vegetation around were more preferred by Aedes for oviposition. The house (20.80%), Breteau (27.20%) and Container (44.93%) Indices indicated a high level of entomological risk on the WHO density scale for both the activity area and the residential area. This study shows that Aedes uses more anthropogenic sites preferably abandoned containers and that its presence constitutes a risk of transmission of arboviruses in the port of San Pedro.

Assessment of Dengue larval indices and breeding habitats in the slums of urban field practice area of Bangalore Medical College- An observational study

Background and Objectives Dengue is one of the major mosquito-borne diseases in India posing a threat to human health. The mosquito Aedes Stegomyia aegypti Linn. and Aedes Stegomyia albopictus Skuse Diptera Culicidae are the primary and secondary vectors of dengue virus respectively. This study is aimed at the assessment of Dengue breeding in slum areas of urban Bengaluru.Methodology In this study an entomological survey was carried out indoors and outdoors to record the actual breeding sites and distribution level of dengue vectors. The survey was conducted in the field practice area of Bangalore Medical College India. A total of 9782 containers with water from 4869 houses were surveyed during the study period.Results The larval indices were calculated in each sector belonging to the field practice area of which sector 2 was the highest which had a house index of 4.9 container index of 2.8 and Breteau index of 5.7.Conclusion The most frequently encountered breeding sites were unused grinding stones flower pots drums barrels rubber tires and cement tanks.nbsp

Effectiveness of K-Othrine Polyzone 62.5 SC (Deltamethrin) in the Control of Aedes (St.) aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Cárdenas, Matanzas, Cuba

The province of Matanzas, usually performs intensive control of Aedes aegypti using pyrethroids as adulticide mainly; however, the municipality of Cardenas, presents health areas with high House Index (IH) and Breteau Index (IB). The objective of the following study was to evaluate the efficacy of K-Othrine Polyzone SC 62.5 (i.a deltamethrin), applied in intra and extra-home resting sites as a residual treatment in the health area Heroes of Moncada in the municipality of Cárdenas. For the study, the state of susceptibility to deltamethrin was evaluated by means of the methodology of impregnated papers to a population of mosquitoes in the selected area. Subsequently, 56 blocks (1960 dwellings) were selected and K-Othrine Polyzone 62.5 SC was applied intradomiciliary in the resting sites following the methodology of the World Health Organization. Within this number of blocks, 14 blocks (574 dwellings) were selected for an additional outdoor treatment in conjunction with the intradomiciliary treatment. The residual nature of the formulation was evaluated using the cone methodology for 15 weeks, as this was the minimum durability time recommended by the manufacturer. Efficacy was determined using the casa, Breatau and ovitrampa indices. Post-intervention, the surfaces with the highest residual were metal, plastic and concrete. During one year the selected apples remained with indices below 0.02 and 0.03 and of the 14 apples with exterior and interior treatment only two of them repeated positivity after this period of time. One and a half years later, the mosquito population collected was susceptible to the active ingredient. The residual treatment with this product, added to the vector control program activities, produced a positive impact on the selected apples, constituting a good option for the reduction of Ae. aegypti indices

Stegomyia indices of Aedes aquatic stages in El Geneina town, Western Sudan

Darfur in Western Sudan has the most volatile camps of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and has experienced several outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. To determine the prevalence and Stegomyia indices of Aedes aquatic stages in El Geneina town, Western Darfur. Cross-sectional entomological surveys of immature stages of Aedes were carried out during August-November 2019 in 4 sites with IDP camps and a residential area with no camp. We searched 17 730 houses, IDP camps and buildings of governmental corporations for Aedes larvae, and 6809 (38.4%) were positive for Aedes aquatic stages. Both Aedes aegypti and Aedes vittatus larvae were found. However, Ae. aegypti constituted > 90% of the larvae. Six positive water containers were recorded: tyres, clay pots, barrels, plastic water tanks, flower vases and old cars: 26% of 92 tyres contained Aedes larvae compared to 23.8% of 21 old cars and 17.1% of 44 198 clay pots. This suggested that clay pots were the main source of Aedes. The results showed high infestation of El Geneina town with Aedes immature stages in all study sites including public buildings and residential areas with no IDP camps. Stegomyia indices varied among study sites, and were more elevated in sites with IDP camps. For all sites, House index = 38.40, Container Index = 11.40, Breateu index = 13.60 and Pupa Index = 27. Multisectoral response coupled with community participation are urgently needed to reduce the burden of Aedes-borne diseases in the unstable El Geneina town.