Assessment of environmental factors associated with dengue transmission in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka

Background: Dengue fever is a major public health problem in India. Dengue is a re-emerging arboviral disease in the World. Assessment of environmental factors in the rural and urban areas is extremely important to understand vectors, its transmission and vector breeding sites. Aim: The study was conducted to assess the environmental factors associated with dengue transmission and its protective factors. Settings and Design: A Community based cross sectional study was conducted in Udupi Taluk. Materials and Methods: The Study period was conducted during March 2012 to August 2012. Sample size was calculated by the formula of estimation of proportion (n = Z 2pq/ͺ2 ) at 95% significance level. Stratified multistage cluster sampling was used. A total of 500 households of Udupi Taluk were selected randomly for the study. Statistical Analysis Used: Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 15, Chicago, IL. Results are presented in proportions. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Results showed that foremost risk factor for vector breading was abundance of coconut shells around houses (73%), containers without covers 50.8% (outdoor) and 20% (indoor). The P < 0.05 was significant for usage of mosquito coil or repellents, having a protective screen for windows, doors in living rooms and use of insecticide spray to reduce mosquito density in urban and rural areas. Conclusions: Health education, specific protection and source reduction need to be emphasized to control dengue fever in rural and urban areas