Browsing by Author "Withanage, G.P.W.K."

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    Assessment of possible social and entomological risk factors affecting transmission of dengue in the District of Gampaha
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Withanage, G.P.W.K.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Hapugoda, M.D.
    Dengue is the most important mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted to humans in Sri Lanka causing more than 30,000 cases annually. The objective of the study was to identify possible social and entomological risk factors affecting transmission of dengue in Gampaha district where the second highest number of dengue cases recorded during last ten years. Four Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas were selected based on annual number of dengue cases greater than 250 for last ten years. One GramaNiladhari (GN) division was selected from each MOH area as a study area where the highest number of dengue incidents reported. In each study area, a cluster of 150 households was selected and household and entomological surveys were conducted. The selected areas were Eriyawatiya (Kelaniya MOH), Welikadamulla (Wattala MOH), Akbar town (Mahara MOH), and 3-Kurana (Negombo MOH) GN divisions. There were 2577 population in 600 households in the study areas and 53.5% were females. Average size of a homestead was 17 perches and most of the households (98%-588/600) were individual house. Main vegetations in the homesteads were grass and bushes (97%-583/600) and potential breeding places of dengue vector mosquitoes were observed in 96.1% (577/600) households. Main dengue vector mosquito present in the captured Aedes adult mosquitoes was Aedes albopictusis (92.9%-183/197). Most prominent breeding places were discarded bottles and tins (4.0%-15/371), plant axils (9.7%-36/371), plastic containers (26.4%-98/371), and roof gutters (4.3%-16/371) in the observed premises and 9.2% (34/371) were Aedes larvae positive. Most frequent mosquito preventive measure was bed-nets (30.3%-182/600), but mosquito coils (30.8%-185/600) and vaporizers (17.6%- 106/600) were frequently used. Participants have adequate knowledge about the disease, but they neglect preventive measures and highly depend on government vector control programs. Unplanned households, crowded conditions, poor waste management systems, and negligence to pursue preventive measures may be possible risk factors and therefore, frequent encouragement is needed to control dengue transmission.
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    Identification of risk factors affecting transmission of dengue in the District of Gampaha, Sri Lanka
    (Moleclar Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Withanage, G.P.W.K.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Hapugoda, M.D.
    INTRODUCTION: Dengue is the most significant mosquito-borne infectious disease in Sri Lanka, causing more than 35,000 cases annually for last five years. The second highest prevalence of dengue was reported from the District of Gampaha for last 10 years. OBJECTIVE: To identify possible risk factors affecting transmission of dengue in selected high risk areas of dengue in the Gampha District. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted in four high risk Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas where the annual number of dengue cases greater than 250 during last ten years. In each MOH area, one Grama Niladhari (GN) division with the highest dengue incidence was selected as study areas. In each study area, a cluster of 150, including house-holds, open areas (barren lands, dump yards, and construction sites), abandoned houses, and religious facilities, was selected. A house-hold and entomological surveys were performed in March, 2015 after obtaining an informed written consent. RESULTS: The selected study areas were Akbar town (Mahara MOH), Eriyawatiya (Kelaniya MOH), Kurana (Negombo MOH), and Welikadamulla (Wattala MOH). The size of study human population was 2,544 in 574 house-holds in the study areas and 53.66% (1,365/2,544) were females. The average size of a homestead was 19.3 perches and more than one house was observed in 21.6% (124/574) of land plots. The type of the house-hold was mostly moderate (67.2%-386/574) and the gender of the house-hold head was male in 77.7% (446/574) house-holds. The average number of dwellers in a house-hold was 4 and 7.35% (187/2,544) of the population has previously infected with dengue. Most of house-holds were individual houses with a small garden (98.9%-568/574) and residential function of the house-hold was mainly residential only (83.4%-479/574). The main source of water was piped water (95.1%-546/574), but 39.5% (227/574) using ground-well or tube-well water daily purposes other than drinking and food processing. The most common mosquito preventive measure was bed nets (31.7%-182/574) and 47.6% (273/574) house-holds were using more than one mosquito preventive measures. Collecting tailors of municipal councils is the main solid waste disposal method, while 16.0% (92/574) using burning, burring in pits, composting or open ground due to lack of proper solid waste collection system. Bushes and small trees were the most common vegetation cover of the homesteads (84.5%-485/574) and potential breeding sites were observed in 97.5% (585/600) premises in the study areas. Main mosquito breeding places were plastic and polythene wares, discarded cans and tins, discarded tyres, plant axils, and aluminum and clay pots. The Breteau Index (BI) for Aedes larvae was 4.88 (28/574). Most prominent adult mosquito species in the areas was Aedes albopictus (92.4%-281/304). Dwellers in the study areas have considerable knowledge of the disease and preventive measures, but they reluctant to pursue preventive measures. DISCUSSION: Possible risk factors for transmission of dengue may be crowded conditions, small house-holds and homesteads, poor water and waste management systems, disfavor to pursue preventive measures, and dependence on government vector control programs. Therefore, immense persuade will be required to control dengue in the areas.