VECTOS: An Integrated System for Monitoring Risk Factors Associated With Urban Arbovirus Transmission

In Colombia, as in many Latin American countries, decision making and development of effective strategies for vector control of urban diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya is challenging for local health authorities. The heterogeneity of transmission in urban areas requires an efficient ris...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Global health science and practice Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 128 - 137
Main Authors:	Ocampo, Clara B, Mina, Neila J, Echavarria, Maria I, Acuña, Miguel, Caballero, Alexi, Navarro, Andres, Aguirre, Andres, Criollo, Ingrid S, Forero, Francia, Azuero, Oscar, Alexander, Neal D
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Global Health: Science and Practice 22-03-2019
Subjects:	Arbovirus Infections - prevention & control Arbovirus Infections - transmission Arbovirus Infections - virology Arboviruses - growth & development Chikungunya Fever - etiology Chikungunya Fever - transmission Cities Colombia Data Analysis Data Collection Decision Making Dengue - etiology Dengue - transmission Environmental Monitoring - methods Field Action Reports Geographic Information Systems Humans Information Systems Internet Mobile Applications Mosquito Control Mosquito Vectors - growth & development Mosquito Vectors - virology Population Surveillance Public Health Residence Characteristics Risk Factors Technology Urban Population Zika Virus Infection - etiology Zika Virus Infection - transmission Colombia Cities
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	In Colombia, as in many Latin American countries, decision making and development of effective strategies for vector control of urban diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya is challenging for local health authorities. The heterogeneity of transmission in urban areas requires an efficient risk-based allocation of resources to control measures. With the objective of strengthening the capacity of local surveillance systems to identify variables that favor urban arboviral transmission, a multidisciplinary research team collaborated with the local Secretary of Health officials of 3 municipalities in Colombia (Giron, Yopal, and Buga), in the design of an integrated information system called VECTOS from 2015 to 2018. Information and communication technologies were used to develop 2 mobile applications to capture entomological and social information, as well as a web-based system for the collection, geo-referencing, and integrated information analysis using free geospatial software. This system facilitates the capture and analysis of epidemiological information from the Colombian national surveillance system (SIVIGILA), periodic entomological surveys-mosquito larvae and pupae in premises and peridomestic breeding sites-and surveys of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in a spatial and temporal context at the neighborhood level. The data collected in VECTOS are mapped and visualized in graphical reports. The system enables real-time monitoring of weekly epidemiological indicators, entomological indices, and social surveys. Additionally, the system enables risk stratification of neighborhoods, using selected epidemiological, entomological, demographic, and environmental variables. This article describes the VECTOS system and the lessons learned during its development and use. The joint analysis of epidemiological and entomological data within a geographic information system in VECTOS gives better insight to the routinely collected data and identifies the heterogeneity of risk factors between neighborhoods. We expect the system to continue to strengthen vector control programs in evidence-based decision making and in the design and enhanced follow-up of vector control strategies.
Bibliography:	Resumen en español al final del artículo.
ISSN:	2169-575X 2169-575X
DOI:	10.9745/GHSP-D-18-00300