Abstract

CORDERO CONEJO, Ana Cecilia et al. Reseña de una experiencia de promoción de la salud y lucha contra el dengue utilizando el control biológico, en escuelas de Chacarita, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2000, vol.9, n.17, pp.20-25. ISSN 1409-1429.

Both dengue fever and malaria are endemic diseases in Chacarita, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Vector mosquitoes thrive due to poor living conditions in highly populated areas where garbage, including empty containers, accumulate and, due to high humidity and precipitation, favor larval development. Spraying of insecticides and garbage collection during outbreaks have not been successful in preventing new ones. A different approach is needed with emphasis on education and active community participation, as well as biological control, leaving chemical spraying as a measure of last resort. We report on a workshop organized with participation of school children in the Chacarita area, with the help of principals, teachers, community leaders, and non-govemment organizations. Educational activities were carried out, as well as measures of biological control applied to semi permanent bodies of waten Questionnaires given to students made it possible to identify socio-cultural factors which favor the permanence of the vector mosquito and suggest new control strategies.