{ "abstract": "Disadvantaged communities characterised by poor sanitation conditions, overcrowding, and limited vector control are highly susceptible to Aedes aegypti proliferation and arboviral disease transmission. Effective mosquito vector control requires a detailed understanding of Ae. aegypti oviposition preferences and spatial distribution within such urban environments. This study aimed to identify key environmental and behavioural drivers of Ae. aegypti proliferation in disadvantaged communities of Salvador, Brazil, combining household surveys, entomological assessments, and remote sensing to guide targeted public health interventions. Between March and December 2023, using a systematic sampling approach, an entomological survey was conducted in 174 households, alongside a socio-demographic and environmental visual inspection survey in 119 households within two disadvantaged communities of Salvador. Ovitraps were used to collect Ae. aegypti eggs and immatures, providing a detailed assessment of mosquito density. The visual inspection survey identified potential breeding sites (sources of standing water) for Ae. aegypti in the peri-domestic environment. Landcover classification was performed to provide insights into vegetation coverage and other landscape features in the study area. Multivariate modelling explored associations between environmental and household factors, and Ae. aegypti density. Of the 303 recovered ovitraps, 85 (55.6%) indoor and 123 (82.0%) outdoor were positive for eggs, with a total of 11,211 Ae. aegypti eggs recorded. Environmental factors strongly associated with egg abundance included ovitrap location, garbage deposited in front of the house, proximity (within 10 m) to an open sewer, and the presence of open plastic containers in the peri-domestic environment. No significant spatial clustering of mosquito egg density was observed. Breeding was most prolific in the peri-domestic environment, highlighting the importance of keeping these areas clean and well-managed. Improving waste disposal, water storage practices, and sanitation infrastructure could enhance the effectiveness of vector control. These findings provide evidence to inform integrated strategies for reducing arboviral disease risk in disadvantaged urban settings. Author summary: Mosquito-borne diseases are a major threat to human health, particularly in disadvantaged communities that lack the resources to manage them. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, thrive in tropical climates and are extending their range as temperatures increase due to climate change. Therefore, it is important to develop effective strategies to control these mosquitoes to minimise the spread of disease. Environmental management is considered a sustainable way of reducing mosquito breeding sites. This study identified household and community drivers of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in vulnerable communities of Salvador, Brazil.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom", "Cabot Institute for the Environment, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom", "Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil", "Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil", "Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom", "Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil", "Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America", "Fiocruz Rondônia, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil" ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 11, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Eimear Griffin" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Thiago da Mata Barreto" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Zoe Ward" }, { "affs": [ 3 ], "name": "Juliet Oliveira Santana" }, { "affs": [ 4 ], "name": "Hussein Khalil" }, { "affs": [ 5 ], "name": "Mike Begon" }, { "affs": [ 6 ], "name": "Mitermayer Galvão G. Reis" }, { "affs": [ 7 ], "name": "Cleber Cremonese" }, { "name": "Federico Costa" }, { "name": "Hernan D. Argibay" }, { "name": "Guy Howard" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3wt9gbtyx1fmr.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014728", "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014728", "id": "3wt9gbtyx1fmr", "issns": [ "1935-2735" ], "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014728", "language": null, "licence": "CC-BY-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0", "licence_source": "journal", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "openalex", "2739|Mosquito-borne diseases and control" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Invertebrates/Arthropoda/Insects/Mosquitoes" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Invertebrates/Arthropoda/Insects/Mosquitoes/Aedes aegypti" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Reproductive physiology/Eggs" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Species interactions/Disease vectors/Insect vectors/Mosquitoes" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Species interactions/Disease vectors/Insect vectors/Mosquitoes/Aedes aegypti" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Invertebrates/Arthropoda/Insects/Mosquitoes" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Invertebrates/Arthropoda/Insects/Mosquitoes/Aedes aegypti" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Entomology" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Entomology/Insects/Mosquitoes" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Entomology/Insects/Mosquitoes/Aedes aegypti" ], [ "plos", "/Ecology and environmental sciences/Natural resources/Water resources" ], [ "plos", "/Ecology and environmental sciences/Terrestrial environments/Urban environments" ], [ "plos", "/Engineering and technology/Industrial engineering/Quality control/Visual inspection" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Environmental health/Sanitation" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Disease vectors/Insect vectors/Mosquitoes" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Disease vectors/Insect vectors/Mosquitoes/Aedes aegypti" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Environmental health/Sanitation" ] ], "openalex": "W7215089495", "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014728&type=printable", "pmcid": null, "pmid": null, "published": "2026-10-01", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3wt9gbtyx1fmr.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014728", "source": "plos", "url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014728" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:zoology", "subfield": "zoology-behaviour" } ], "title": "Household and community drivers of Aedes aegypti infestation in tropical cities: Guiding community-led interventions", "title_text": "Household and community drivers of Aedes aegypti infestation in tropical cities: Guiding community-led interventions", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3wt9gbtyx1fmr", "venue": "PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases", "versions": [] }