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Background: Dengue has been spreading in Thailand for more than 50 years, and the community prevention of dengue transmission is an important strategy to help reduce outbreaks. The larval indices surveillance system is one of the most significant prevention methods at the household and district levels. Objective: This study sought to develop a larval indices surveillance system based on a specific community context. Method: Community participation action research (CPAR) studies represent a new approach to studying the high-risk dengue area of Lansaka district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. This study was conducted for 2 years (from 2013 to 2015) and applied the integrated concepts of 1) community capacity building, 2) epidemiology, 3) research design for health development, and 4) an online computer program. The method included five phases: 1) community preparation, 2) situation assessment, 3) the development of the surveillance system, 4) implementation, and 5) evaluation. Results: The model was designed in partnership with all the stakeholders from 44 villages across 5 sub-districts. The surveillance system consisted of seven steps at the household level based on primary care surveillance centers (PCSCs), as well as four components at the district level based on district surveillance centers (DSCs). The dengue morbidity rate decreased from 164, 151, and 135 cases/100,000 people in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Moreover, knowledge of both dengue and larval indices among village health volunteers (VHVs) increased significantly (p < .01). Conclusions: The results from the new system showed a decrease in both the larval indices level and morbidity rate; however, the levels remained higher than the standard. The active surveillance system requires continuous monitoring at both the household and district levels.

Risk factors for dengue were related to the students' basic knowledge of dengue and to the larval indices in both the schools and the students' households. Additionally, a coordinated effort will be required to eliminate Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites in the community.

Background: Risk assessment criteria for predicting dengue outbreak must be appropriated at village levels. We aimed to develop risk dengue village prediction criteria, predict village dengue risk, and strengthen dengue prevention based on community participation. Methods: This participatory research conducted in Southern Thailand included the following 5 phases: (i) preparing communities in 3 districts; (ii) developing risk dengue village prediction criteria; (iii) applying computer program; (iv) predicting village dengue risk with 75 public health providers in 39 PCUs; and (v) utilizing findings to strengthen dengue prevention activities in 220 villages. Data collecting for prediction used secondary data from primary care units in the past 5 year and current year. Descriptive statistics used calculating criteria and comparing with standard level to adjust score of risk. Results: Risk dengue village assessment criteria had 2 aspects: dengue severity (3 factors) and dengue outbreak opportunity (3 factors). Total scores were 33 points and cut-off of 17 points for high and low dengue risks villages. All criteria were applied using computer program ( http://surat.denguelim.com ). Risk prediction involved stakeholder participation in 220 villages, and used for strengthening dengue prevention activities. The concept of integrated vector management included larval indices surveillance system, garbage management, larval indices level lower than the standard, community capacity activities for dengue prevention, and school-based dengue prevention. The risk prediction criteria and process mobilized villages for dengue prevention activities to decrease morbidity rate. Conclusion: Dengue risk assessment criteria were appropriated within the village, with its smallest unit, the household, included. The data can be utilized at village levels for evaluating dengue outbreak risks.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an active larval indices surveillance system and compare the outcomes of the implementation in primary care units (PCUs) at low and high risk of dengue. Design/methodology/approach The study design was conducted by implementing a community participation action research system in low and high dengue risk PCUs in Lansaka district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, in the Southern Region of Thailand. There were five phases to the process including preparation of all stakeholders, situation assessment, development of the surveillance system, program implementation and evaluation. The system was developed in ten villages that were categorized as either low dengue risk PCUs (comprising six villages) or high dengue risk PCUs (four villages). A village was assigned as being at high or low dengue risk according to pre-determined criteria. The low dengue risk PCU assessments were conducted on a seven-step active larval indices surveillance system where PCU officials were additionally involved in coordinating, teaching, coaching and supporting the village health volunteers (VHVs) for dengue prevention activities. The high dengue risk PCUs, on the other hand, only followed a basic larval indices surveillance system with no follow-up support. Findings The outcomes of using intervention systems showed that the VHVs’ dengue knowledge and larval indices understanding in both PCUs increased significantly (p<0.01). Furthermore, the low dengue risk PCUs had a higher larval indices level than the high dengue risk PCU (p<0.01). Originality/value This study showed that the low dengue risk PCU followed an active larval indices surveillance system at the sub-district level which is appropriate for villages. This study also revealed that VHVs are needed to strengthen the capacity in terms of knowledge and skills of developing such a system to ensure reduced levels of dengue in the community.