Capacity Building for Dengue Prevention: A Comprehensive Training Approach in Two Medical Colleges in Puducherry,...

Background Dengue, a neglected tropical disease, is becoming a more significant global health concern due to factors such as unplanned urbanization, poor sanitation, and improper protective measures. Dengue transmission is intricately linked to the knowledge, perspectives, and practices, and sustainable vector control activities in preventing dengue transmission. We aimed to develop a training plan and implementation strategy for Dengue Source Reduction (DSR) activities for building capacity in medical colleges in Puducherry, India, to control vectors and prevent dengue. Methods This quasi-experimental study involved two medical colleges. Key stakeholders were identified, and resources available for the training program were mapped. The training sessions were interactive, incorporating lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on training on identifying and removing vector breeding habitats. Sixty multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) of 5-6 members were created, each assigned a zone within the college campus. Each team had a leader responsible for coordinating activities, communication, and reporting. Monitoring and evaluation included pre- and post-training surveys, assessments of capacity before and after the training, and identification of collected mosquito larvae. Results The training program, with a focus on interactive learning and robust monitoring, led to significant improvements in knowledge, perception, and capacity. Stakeholder engagement led to the development of the "Detect, Destroy, and Document (3D)" approach for monitoring and evaluation. Participants showed increased knowledge scores (6.79±1.16 to 8.07±0.89 out of 9, paired t-test p<0.001), heightened risk perception (16.7% to 55%, McNemar's test p<0.001), and a stronger understanding (63.3% to 86.7%, McNemar's test p=0.0005) of the importance of weekly DSR activities. The knowledge scores of breeding sites, symptoms, and preventive measures improved significantly after the intervention. Furthermore, participants demonstrated the ability to identify common Aedes breeding sites and mosquito larvae and even conducted a follow-up DSR activity independently. The number of containers identified improved during the follow-up. On emergence in the laboratory, all the larvae collected during the independent follow-up belonged to Aedes mosquitoes. Conclusions Interactive hands-on capacity-building programs in medical colleges can be a promising approach to reducing dengue transmission risks. Integrating vector control training into the medical curriculum and sustaining motivated and trained MDTs within medical colleges can have a broader impact on community health.