Volume : 1, Issue : 6, November - 2012

A Comparative Study in Purview of Malaria and Dengue on Changes in Vector Indices in Ahmedabad (India)

Dr Anand S, Dr Urvish J, Dr Umesh Oza, Dr Rajashree B, Dr Sheetal V, Dr Mahesh C, Dr Pinkal P, Dr Margeyi M

Abstract :

Introduction Malaria is one of the major public health problems in India. Malaria and Dengue cases are on rise in major cities including Ahmedabad owing to rapid urbanization, industrialization and humidity. Monsoon patterns are changing due to global warming. Present study was carried out to compare the vector eeding in Ahmedabad in 2011 and 2012 in different quarters. Methodology Field areas (urban slums) catered under public health service delivery of total 9 wards of south zone under AMC were selected based on systematic random sampling, were checked for vector eeding sites for first two quarters of 2011 and 2012. House Index, Brateu Index, Container Index and attack rate of fever were calculated and compared. Results All indices (HI, BI, CI & AR) reduced in corresponding quarters of 2011 and 2012. The quarterly–compared difference in HI or BI reduction (From 1.8 to 0.67 in Q1 and from 1.85 to 0.92 in Q2) was statistically insignificant. Inter–year CI reduced from 0.5 to 0.28 in Q1 and from 0.6 to 0.33 in Q2. Fever attack rate also reduced. Differences were statistically significant. In 2011, inter–quarter HI, BI and CI decreased while fever attack rate remained unchanged. In 2012, inter–quarter HI, BI, CI and fever attack rate rose in second quarter and differences were statistically significant especially for CI and fever attack rate. Conclusions All indices rose in one year from 2011 to 2012. The same indices also rose within an individual year. Rise in indices from Q1 (nontransmission season) to Q2 (pre–transmission/transmission season) is logical but the same rise is quite significant in 2012 which makes the review of ongoing vector control measures imperative. Source reduction is the key towards effective malaria control.