Predictors of community empowerment against dengue in Córdoba, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION

Given the phenomena and problems caused by neglected tropical diseases such as dengue, questions arise about the effectiveness of policies that guide control and prevention strategies in the territories at greatest risk, demanding greater research efforts. This study evaluates participation and governance as probable factors of community empowerment to address dengue in the department of Córdoba, Colombia.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2022 and 2024. A multistage cluster probability sampling method was used to select four municipalities, rural and urban sectors, households, and 352 individuals out of a total of 4,169 people infected with dengue in 2019. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included a scoring system to measure empowerment at high, low, and medium levels. An ordinal regression model was also defined to identify predictors of empowerment, including variables such as sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about dengue, sanitation skills and conditions, participation, and governance, assigning a score to each response using the Likert scale technique.

RESULTS

The study found that as people participate more actively in processes related to their. well-being or community, they have a greater perception of the importance of participation, communication, and management of dengue prevention and control programs, as well as greater access to information, better prevention practices, and better sanitation conditions in the home. The probability of achieving a higher level of empowerment doubles; (OR = 1.97; p-value < 0.0001). compared to those with lower levels of the same characteristics or factors.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need to strengthen inclusive, intersectoral community strategies with a territorial and rights-based approach to comprehensively address dengue in high-risk areas. This is in order to promote empowerment based on dialogical, participatory, and community management processes to improve disease prevention and control practices.