Characterising the spatial dynamics of sympatric Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus populations in the Philippines

Entomological surveillance and control are essential to the management of dengue fever (DF). Hence, understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of DF vectors, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) and Ae. (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse), is paramount. In th

Community-based dengue vector control : experiences in behavior change in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines

Dengue is the most important mosquito-borne disease in the Philippines, especially in Metropolitan Manila where communities are socially and economically diverse, and city governments struggle to provide basic services such as continuously available, piped water supply to residents. We examined responses to introducing water container management to control dengue vectors in two diverse communities in Masagana City: Village A (gated community) and Village B (informal settlers community). The roll out of the intervention was carried out by the study team, dengue control personnel and local health workers (BHWs). A behavioural change framework was used to describe the community responses to the introduction of a new vector control intervention - household water containermanagement. Although, the desired outcome was not achieved during the study’s timeline, observation on processes of behaviour change underscored the importance of understanding the social nature of the urban communities, often overlooked structures when dengue control program and researchers introduce new dengue control interventions

The standard days method: Factors contributing to the involvement and support of male partners in Metro Manila

The study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the support and involvement of male partners in fertility regulation through standard days method (SDM). It also tried to look at what kinds of support men give their spouses utilizing SDM in Metro Manila. Twenty (20) male partners of women utilizing SDM accessed from Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital were interviewed using an interview guide that consisted of precoded and open-ended questions. The findings showed that older men with higher level of education support women and are actively involved in fertility regulation. Partners of women utilizing SDM ages ranging from 24-48 year old with the mean age of 37 years old, have had formal education, majority are secondary and collegiate level, are Roman Catholic and have regular work and businesses. Couples average number of children is two (2). Majority of men wanted to limit pregnancy because most of them had already achieved their desired number of children. Men who support and actively involved in fertility regulation shared the responsibility with their partners especially their decision to regulate their fertility because they play a vital role in rearing their children. Economic burden of rearing children is one responsibility that is either solely his or partially his. Rearing children therefore, as well as fertility regulation should be a shared responsibility between spouses. Men\u27s ability of control their sexual urges during fertile days influenced their support to women utilizing SDM because SDM is a NFP method, which requires abstinence to correctly use it. In SDM, abstinence is an ideal male method of contraception to effectively use it but in fertility regulation both condom and abstinence is the more appropriate especially for couples who already attained their desired number of children. According to the State of the Philippine Population Report of 2000, one constraint to equitable development is the inability of couples to realize their desired family size. In this study, most couples had already attained their desired number and limiting their fertility through SDM. And men are actively involved and support their partners utilization of the method because fertility regulation is a shared responsibility and decision between spouses

Characterising the spatial dynamics of sympatric Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations in the Philippines

Entomological surveillance and control are essential to the management of dengue fever (DF). Hence, understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of DF vectors, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) and Ae. (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse), is paramount. In the Philippines, resources are limited and entomological surveillance and control are generally commenced during epidemics, when transmission is difficult to control. Recent improvements in spatial epidemiological tools and methods offer opportunities to explore more efficient DF surveillance and control solutions: however, there are few examples in the literature from resource-poor settings. The objectives of this study were to: (i) explore spatial patterns of Aedes populations and (ii) predict areas of high and low vector density to inform DF control in San Jose village, Muntinlupa city, Philippines. Fortnightly, adult female Aedes mosquitoes were collected from 50 double-sticky ovitraps (SOs) located in San Jose village for the period June-November 2011. Spatial clustering analysis was performed to identify high and low density clusters of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Spatial autocorrelation was assessed by examination of semivariograms, and ordinary kriging was undertaken to create a smoothed surface of predicted vector density in the study area. Our results show that both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were present in San Jose village during the study period. However, one Aedes species was dominant in a given geographic area at a time, suggesting differing habitat preferences and interspecies competition between vectors. Density maps provide information to direct entomological control activities and advocate the development of geographically enhanced surveillance and control systems to improve DF management in the Philippines