Dengue in Brazil and Colombia: a study of knowledge,
                    attitudes, and practices

We identified knowledge, attitudes, and practices about dengue and determined the infestation levels of Aedes aegypti in one Brazilian and four Colombian communities.

Results

The surveys show knowledge of the vector, but little knowledge about diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Vector infestation indices show Brazil to have good relative control, while Colombia presents a high transmission risk.

Conclusions

Given the multidimensionality of dengue control, vertical control strategies are inadequate because they deny contextualized methods, alternative solutions, and local empowerment.

Dengue; Knowledge; Practices; Brazil; Colombia

Survey country	Brazil (n = 263)Cabo Santo AgostinhoSanta Rosa	Colombia (n = 200)
Survey country	Brazil (n = 263)Cabo Santo AgostinhoSanta Rosa	ApartadoLa Alborada e La Arboleda	CarepaObrero e Cadena
Knowledge
How dengue is transmitted? (n; %)	report by mosquitoes (259; 98.5)	report by mosquitoes (158; 79.0)
Do you know the mosquito types that transmit dengue? (n; %)	know the mosquito types (233; 88.6) confuse Aedes Aegypti with Culex quinquefasciatus (79; 30.0)	know the mosquito types (176; 88.0)confuse with Tipulidae gender Tipula (105; 52.5)
How serious is dengue? (n; %)	report that dengue kills (255; 96.9)	report that dengue kills (192; 96.0)
How can dengue be prevented? (n; %)	report that dengue can be prevented with vector control (236; 89.7)report that dengue can be prevented through patient care (3; 1.1)	report no response (100; 50.0)report that dengue can be prevented by medical treatment (59; 29.5)
What collective precautions should the patient take with dengue? (n; %)	report water management (82; 31.2)report better trash collection (50;19.0)do not know (45; 17.1)	do not know (100; 50.0)report mosquito control (30; 15.0)report disposal of washing water reservoirs (34; 17.0)
Individual means of prevention (n; %)	report individual action (236; 89.7)report domestic water protection (82; 31.2)	report reservoir protection (100; 50.0)report using larvicides in water and domestic reservoirs (100; 50.0)
On insecticide use (n; %)	report it can be bad for health (132; 50.2)report the community agent puts chemical larvicide in the water (228; 86.7)report no use of insecticide to kill adult insects (165; 62.7)report that insecticides are chemical products that can be affect health (116; 44.1)do not know the difference between biological and chemical control (216; 82.1)	report chemical prevention (20; 10.0)report no health problems (200; 100.0)
Attitudes and practices
Preventing the illness (n; %)	report taking care of water reservoirs (108; 41.1)	report calling the doctor (4; 2.0)report controlling the mosquitoes (30; 15.0)
Vector control (n; %)	report insufficient practical action to control the vector or stop its reproduction (126; 47.9)report putting garbage in a closed container (213; 81.0))report closing reservoirs (198; 75.3)report using insecticide in water (231; 87.8)	report insufficient practical action to control the vector or stop its reproduction (104; 52.0)report periodically washing water containers (96; 48.0)report cleaning water reservoirs, tanks, and containers (34; 17.0)
Mechanical protection (n; %)	report using bed nets (49; 18.6)report using screens on doors and windows (16; 6.1)	report using bed nets (12; 6.0)report using screens on doors and windows (16; 8.0)

Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT Caixa Postal 118, 38001-970 Uberaba MG Brazil, Tel.: +55 34 3318-5255 / +55 34 3318-5636/ +55 34 3318-5287, http://rsbmt.org.br/ - Uberaba - MG - Brazil
E-mail: rsbmt@uftm.edu.br

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[1] Address to: Dra. Solange Laurentino dos Santos. Depto. de Medicina Social/UFPE. Av. da Engenharia s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50740-600 Recife, PE, Brasil. Phone: 55 81 2126-8550; Fax: 55 81 2126-8558. e-mail: solange.lsantos@ufpe.br