Household representatives’ understanding of dengue solutions and larval indices surveillance systems in southern Thailand: A mixed methods study
- 1Doctor of Philosophy Program in Public Health Research, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- 2Excellent Center for Public Health Research (EC forPHR), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- 3College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
Abstract
Background: Dengue fever remains a major public health concern in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia. Effective prevention depends on the community’s understanding of both dengue control measures and vector surveillance systems. This study assessed and explored household representatives’ understanding of dengue solutions (care and preventive measures) and the Aedes larval index surveillance system in southern Thailand. Methods: A community-based convergent mixed-methods study was conducted among 824 household representatives selected through stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using logistic regression to identify factors associated with understanding. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 13 purposively selected participants and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings were integrated using a joint display approach. Results: Only 28.9% of participants demonstrated a high understanding of the dengue solution, and 1.2% had a high understanding of the larval indices surveillance system. Training attendance (AOR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.45–2.78), fewer water containers (AOR 2.06, 95% CI: 1.20–3.54), and higher larvae-positive containers (AOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.97) were significantly associated with lower understanding. Qualitative findings revealed the following key themes: recognition of dengue fever, awareness of preventive practices, risky season, and the importance of training. Training was identified as a key factor in improving understanding and practices. Conclusion: Household heads’ understanding of dengue prevention is limited, particularly regarding larval surveillance systems. Household representatives were familiar with dengue symptoms; they lacked technical knowledge of surveillance systems. Strengthening community-based training and improving the communication of technical concepts are essential to enhance dengue prevention and control efforts.
Related
- Post-outbreak surveillance reveals contrasting circulation dynamics of West Nile, Usutu and Bagaza viruses in southern Portugal, 2021 - 2023
- Strongyloidiasis as a Focal Household Cluster of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in Rural Tropical Rainforest Southern Thailand: An Observational Study.
- Metatranscriptomic surveillance reveals overlooked liver-associated parasite diversity and broad host ranges in small mammals from southern China
- The effectiveness of artificial pollination in various representatives of the genus Pisum L.
- Living representatives of the spiralian ancestral karyotype revealed by two Lima genomes
BibTeX
@article{suwanbamrung2026household,
title = {{Household representatives’ understanding of dengue solutions and larval indices surveillance systems in southern Thailand: A mixed methods study}},
author = {Charuai Suwanbamrung and Kusubeeyah Babathee and Sikarin Aiedchuthong and Juthaphon Detaran and Farusdeen Madsen and Lafi Munira and Dereje Haile and Aseb Arba Kinfe},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0348142},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0348142},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Household representatives’ understanding of dengue solutions and larval indices surveillance systems in southern Thailand: A mixed methods study
AU - Charuai Suwanbamrung
AU - Kusubeeyah Babathee
AU - Sikarin Aiedchuthong
AU - Juthaphon Detaran
AU - Farusdeen Madsen
AU - Lafi Munira
AU - Dereje Haile
AU - Aseb Arba Kinfe
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0348142
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0348142
AB - Background: Dengue fever remains a major public health concern in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia. Effective prevention depends on the community’s understanding of both dengue control measures and vector surveillance systems. This study assessed and explored household representatives’ understanding of dengue solutions (care and preventive measures) and the Aedes larval index surveillance system in southern Thailand. Methods: A community-based convergent mixed-methods study was conducted among 824 household representatives selected through stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using logistic regression to identify factors associated with understanding. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 13 purposively selected participants and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings were integrated using a joint display approach. Results: Only 28.9% of participants demonstrated a high understanding of the dengue solution, and 1.2% had a high understanding of the larval indices surveillance system. Training attendance (AOR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.45–2.78), fewer water containers (AOR 2.06, 95% CI: 1.20–3.54), and higher larvae-positive containers (AOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.97) were significantly associated with lower understanding. Qualitative findings revealed the following key themes: recognition of dengue fever, awareness of preventive practices, risky season, and the importance of training. Training was identified as a key factor in improving understanding and practices. Conclusion: Household heads’ understanding of dengue prevention is limited, particularly regarding larval surveillance systems. Household representatives were familiar with dengue symptoms; they lacked technical knowledge of surveillance systems. Strengthening community-based training and improving the communication of technical concepts are essential to enhance dengue prevention and control efforts.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -