Socioeconomic Factors and Human Knowledge and Behaviours Associated with Aedes aegypti abundance in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

BackgroundSince 2013, Burkina Faso has experienced regular dengue outbreaks, especially in Ouagadougou, the capital city, and Bobo-Dioulasso. Insufficient knowledge of the disease and some daily practices and attitudes of the human population may contribute to the proliferation of the vector and subsequently to dengue transmission. The objective of this study was to assess the levels of population knowledge of dengue and its primary vector, Aedes aegypti, and to elucidate the behavioural and environmental factors associated with the proliferation of this species. MethodsA cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) survey was conducted among 514 individuals, in 514 houses concurrently with a survey on Ae. aegypti larval sites, between September and October 2021 in three health districts (HDs) of Ouagadougou. Compound characteristics, including building materials, annual income, presence of waste, and water storage practices, were also documented. ResultsA proportion of94.36% of the respondents demonstrated knowledge of dengue, with 50% recognizing primary symptoms like fever and headaches, and 70.52% knowing about its transmission mode. Only 53.51% could identify Aedes larval containers, while 14.04% were familiar with mosquito immature stages. Certain practices were linked to increased dengue vector proliferation or biting, including water storage, open water containers, water-holding waste, and the absence of mosquito screens. The study noted a high number and diversity of potential Aedes larval sites with elevated Stegomyia indices (Container Index >47%, House Index >86%, and Breteau Index >230) across all HDs. Moreover, compound infestation by immature mosquitoes was correlated with tap water presence, resident count, and construction type. ConclusionDespite the dengue outbreaks in the city of Ouagadougou over the past decade and the resulting awareness campaigns, population knowledge of dengue and its vector remains limited. Therefore, there is a critical need to enhance awareness activities through campaigns aimed at changing practices and attitudes, and improving the populations knowledge regarding the disease and its vector.