Socio-ecological factors contributing to the exposure of human populations to mosquito bites that transmit dengue fever, chikungunya and zika viruses: a comparison between mainland France and the French Antilles

This article presents the findings of a research programme involving both researchers and operators involved in Vector Control in France and the French Antilles. We used an interdisciplinary approach to analyse how socio-ecological factors interact to contribute to the exposure of urban and suburban populations to Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, mosquitoes that vector the chikungunya, zika and dengue fever viruses. Our analysis indicates that, beyond the territorial specificities of the sites studied, similar processes work to encourage the presence of mosquitoes at homes in both zones: the presence of water, the structure of gardens, inhabitants' representations of the risk related to mosquitoes, and/or their personal experience. In the French Antilles, the presence of larval breeding sites is also tied to a lack of urban infrastructure. We identify two main categories of larval breeding sites in individual homes: "Behavioural Habitats" (BHs) and "Structural Habitats" (SHs). While the presence of BHs is related to inhabitants' behaviour, SHs are mainly the product of building and garden design. Prevention aimed at curbing larval breeding sites as such needs to begin at the building and garden design stage. This article makes recommendations regarding the layout and management of buildings and gardens.