Control of Aedes aegypti breeding sites with the program Recicla por tu bienestar in Merida, Mexico

Objectives. To determine the importance of Ae. aegypti breeding-sites in Merida; to evaluate the impact of Recicla por tu bienestar (RxB, a recycling program) on the reduction of breeding sites and the perception of participants. Materials and methods. The relative importance for pupae production of the different types of breeding-sites was determined. Pre- and post-RxB entomological surveys were performed in participant neighborhoods to evaluate the impact on total containers and positive breeding-sites. A survey on the perception of participating people about dengue prevention and control and RxB was applied. Results. Buckets/pots and "small diverse items" were the most important breeding-sites. RxB had a significant impact in the reduction of total containers (IRR = 0.74), positive containers (IRR = 0.33) and the risk of a house being positive for Ae. aegypti (OR = 0.41). All the interviewed participants referred RxB as needed and most consider it useful. Conclusions. RxB should be considered as a good practice for the dengue vector control.