A Community Based Approach To Assess The Effect Of Larvivorous Fish In Control Of Dengue Vector In Household Water Container.

Background: Dengue fever is the fastest emerging arboviral infection, with over 70% of the burden in Asian-Pacific countries like India, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.Reported cases rose from 100,000 in 2001-2002 to over 200,000 annually since 2007.Dengue vector control, particularly through biological methods like introducing larvivorous fish, is critical to prevention efforts.Objectives: The study aims to assess the prevalence of dengue vector larvae in household water containers at Sowripalayam and evaluate the effectiveness of larvivorous fish as a biological control measure for reducing dengue vector breeding.Methods: Using a non-equivalent control group before-and-after design, the study surveyed 600 households in Sowripalayam at Coimbatore.Larvae prevalence was assessed in 212 cisterns, and larvivorous fish (guppies) were introduced in the experimental group.Entomological indices, including House Index and Breteau Index, were calculated pre-and post-intervention.Results: Among 172 houses examined, 76.7% had larval breeding sources, primarily in shaded cisterns.Pre-intervention House Index and Breteau Index were 16.6% and 19.16% in the experimental group, compared to 12% and 14.16% in the control group.Post-intervention, the indices dropped significantly in the experimental group to 2.5%, indicating effective control, while the control group indices remained unchanged.Statistical analysis (t = 30.8,p < 0.05) confirmed significant reductions in larval prevalence in the experimental group.Conclusion: Larvivorous fish effectively reduce dengue vector breeding in household water containers without adverse effects.Their use, either alone or alongside other control measures, offers a sustainable solution for dengue prevention.These findings align with other studies demonstrating entomological index reductions through biological control methods.Further research is recommended to optimize this approach in diverse settings.