[Dengue vector control and community participation in Catanduva, São Paulo State, Brazil].

This study aimed to identify changes in knowledge and practices learned to prevent dengue fever in two areas of Catanduva, São Paulo State, from 1999 to 2001: a study area and a control area. The study included an initial quantitative survey, qualitative research, a preliminary diagnosis presented to the community to launch a discussion aimed at defining future actions, implementation of the actions in the study area with community participation (but without changes in the control area), and a final comparison of the two areas. Changes in the study area included: vector control workers began demonstrating preventive measures without removing potential breeding places or using larvicide; use of educational aids specific to the local reality; activities related to the residents priorities; and activities such as music, theater skits, scavenger hunts, and games to demonstrate the vector cycle.

[Evaluation of compliance with dengue fever prevention: the case of Catanduva, São Paulo, Brazil].

This paper presents the results of a qualitative survey on dengue fever prevention in an outlying neighborhood of Catanduva, São Paulo, Brazil. The research aimed to identify factors that interfere with on-going preventive practices by local residents. The authors began with a qualitative approach emphasizing preventive work within local women's daily context, mediated by the relationship they establish with vector control agents.