The role of community participation in the prevention of dengue: a case study from Cuba

More than 2.5 billion people in the world remain potentially exposed to acquire dengue fever in their lifetimes. Climate change, uncontrolled urbanization, poverty and environmental degradation have contributed to the increase of the Aedes aegypti population, the main vector that carries the disease. Traditional eradication programs that focused on mosquito larval control with the use of chemicals failed to eliminate the disease. Evidence shows that the involvement of the community in reducing the breeding sites of Aedes aegypti and collaboration among various sectors of the community are the most effective methods to prevent dengue. This paper explores the role of community participation in the prevention of dengue fever and the control of its main vector. Using a community-based intersectoral program in a district of Havana, Cuba, this study analyzes the efficiency of such a participatory approach and its capacity to be a sustainable solution for dengue prevention.