Probable sociobehavioural and environmental risk factors for dengue transmission in Puducherry, India – An exploratory study

CONTEXT: Dengue is one of the most extensively spread mosquito borne disease. Puducherry has experienced outbreaks during the post monsoon season almost every year since 2003. Understanding the dynamics of disease transmission and the conducive factors favourable for its spread is necessary to plan early control measures to prevent outbreaks. OBJECTIVE: To describe the sociodemographic details of the dengue recovered cases, their clinical features, management, probable sociobehavioural and environmental risk factors for acquiring infection that could favour disease spread. METHODOLOGY: An exploratory descriptive study was conducted among 23 individuals recovered from dengue during the outbreak in Puducherry in 2018. An interview guide was used to elicit details regarding the course of illness from its onset until recovery as well as the probable sociobehavioural and environmental risk factors from each participant. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequency, percentage, and mean scores. RESULTS: All 23 were primary cases of dengue with fever and myalgia being the commonest presentation. Two of them developed dengue haemorrhagic fever, of which one completely recovered. Five were found to have dengue–chikungunya coinfection. Lack of awareness about dengue, noncompliance regarding proper solid waste management and environmental sanitation among the public was clearly evident. CONCLUSION: Local transmission was evident as most cases did not have any relevant travel history outside the State and from the prevailing mosquitogenic environmental conditions. Dengue being a preventable disease can be controlled only with the active participation of all stakeholders including primary care physicians and the community.