Perceptions and behaviors regarding arbovirus prevention in mainland France: 2016 Health Barometer

The risk of exposure to dengue and chikungunya in mainland France is increasing, particularly due to the spread of the Aedes albopictus mosquito in temperate zones. There is no curative treatment or vaccine to prevent these infections. Vector control is the only preventive measure available to protect the population against this emerging risk. Behavior plays an important role in the spread of infectious diseases. Prevention programs based on the study of perceptions, knowledge, and practices are therefore necessary. Questions about arboviruses were included in the 2016 Health Barometer, with the aim of assessing perceptions and prevention behaviors regarding these infections in mainland France in order to identify levers for action to improve VCT. In this context, 3,694 people living in departments where Ae. albopictus was established at that time were surveyed from January to August 2016. The results indicate that preventive behaviors depended on the level of annoyance felt regarding mosquitoes, the perceived risk of exposure to dengue and chikungunya, and the perceived level of knowledge about these diseases. Pest control, acquiring knowledge about arboviruses, and assessing the risk associated with these diseases are factors that appear to be useful for adopting appropriate preventive behaviors in the face of these risks.

Author(s): Molho Sonia, Gautier Arnaud, Paty Marie-Claire, Jestin Christine

Publishing year: 2018

Pages: 510-517

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2018, n° 24, p. 510-517

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