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Introduction: The main preventive measure against dengue virus transmission is often based on actions to control Ae. Aegypti reproduction by targeting water containers of clean and stagnant water. Household water storage has received special attention in prevention strategies but the evidence about the rationale of this human practice is limited. The objective was to identify and describe water storage practices among residents of an urban area in Colombia (Girardot) and its association with reported perceptions, rationales and socio-demographic characteristics with a mixed methods approach., Methods: Knowledge, attitudes and practices and entomological surveys from 1,721 households and 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted among residents of Girardot and technicians of the local vector borne disease program. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify associations between a water storage practice and socio-demographic characteristics, and knowledge, attitudes and practices about dengue and immature forms of the vector, which were then triangulated with qualitative information., Results: Water storage is a cultural practice in Girardot. There are two main reasons for storage: The scarcity concern based on a long history of shortages of water in the region and the perception of high prices in water rates, contrary to what was reported by the local water company. The practice of water storage was associated with being a housewife (Inverse OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.5 -4.3). The use of stored water depends on the type of container used, while water stored in alberca (Intra household cement basins) is mainly used for domestic cleaning chores, water in plastic containers is used for cooking., Conclusions: It is essential to understand social practices that can increase or reduce the number of breeding sites of Ae. Aegypti. Identification of individuals who store water and the rationale of such storage allow a better understanding of the social dynamics that lead to water accumulation.

Introduction: Dengue is a growing public health problem in urban areas, given that its transmission is associated with the environment, as well as with the behaviour of individuals and communities. The model proposed by Ecohealth to study this problem includes the operation of government policies., Objective: To describe the operation of policies to prevent and control dengue in two Colombian cities., Materials and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted. Data was collected through interviews with officials who worked in the health and education sectors. The contents were processed with the Ethnograph software, using the proposals of the bottom-up model of implementation as analytical categories., Results: A lack of coordination was identified between department and municipal offices, with few developments of the protocol for dengue and severe dengue in terms of community participation, communication strategies and studies of inhabitants´ knowledge, attitudes and practices. The integrated management strategy was limited by the instability of human resources, limited intra-institutional and cross-sectorial coordination and little emphasis on promotion interventions, both at the individual and population levels., Conclusions: Coordination between the departament and the municipality needs to be strengthened in the city of Arauca. Both here and in Armenia administration of human resources and interinstitutional coordination should be improved. Promotion of preventative measures should be strengthened to impact on the determinants of dengue.

Background: Long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) window and door curtains alone or in combination with LLIN water container covers were analysed regarding effectiveness in reducing dengue vector density, and feasibility of the intervention., Methods: A cluster randomised trial was conducted in an urban area of Colombia comparing 10 randomly selected control and 10 intervention clusters. In control clusters, routine vector control activities were performed. The intervention delivered first, LLIN curtains (from July to August 2013) and secondly, water container covers (from October to March 2014). Cross-sectional entomological surveys were carried out at baseline (February 2013 to June 2013), 9 weeks after the first intervention (August to October 2013), and 4-6 weeks after the second intervention (March to April 2014)., Results: Curtains were installed in 922 households and water container covers in 303 households. The Breteau index (BI) fell from 14 to 6 in the intervention group and from 8 to 5 in the control group. The additional intervention with LLIN covers for water containers showed a significant reduction in pupae per person index (PPI) (p=0.01). In the intervention group, the PPI index showed a clear decline of 71% compared with 25% in the control group. Costs were high but options for cost savings were identified., Conclusions: Short term impact evaluation indicates that the intervention package can reduce dengue vector density but sustained effect will depend on multiple factors., (© The author 2015. The World Health Organization has granted Oxford University Press permission for the reproduction of this article.)