The clinic gave us a list of important points about dengue to discuss at each house and a list of the types of containers to cover or turn over in people’s yards. So we set out in teams to talk to people and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
We encountered a wide range of knowledge about dengue, from people who knew nothing about the disease to people who had had the disease several times and could name the exact species of mosquito (Aedes aegypti), its preferred breeding sites (stagnant, clean water), and the symptoms of the disease (fever, myalgias, retro-ocular pain).
Sometimes this knowledge was put into practice, and sometimes it was not. While many people had turned over boots and buckets to prevent water from accumulating and mosquitos from breeding, coconut shells and leaves were often overlooked as potential breeding sites. In addition, drainage systems were often inadequate, allowing for puddles to form.
I appreciated that the health system in Costa Rica sends people door-to-door to discuss health issues with the population. In many ways, the Costa Rican health system emphasizes preventative healthcare and bringing services to the people.
This post was written by mi.zheng
