Policy analysis of the dengue control program in Mexico

Abstracts

OBJETIVO: Analizar medidas municipales implementadas para el control de la epidemia del dengue, sobretodo las de coordinación sectorial, gobernanza y participación de grupos sociales. MÉTODOS: Estudio de observación, realizado en Morelos, México, 2007. Los datos colectados en entrevistas y observaciones directas fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido y mapeo político. El software Policy Marker fue utilizado para evaluar los pesos atribuidos a los datos de desempeño (e.g. criterios alto, medio y bajo) y el papel de actores (acciones realizadas sean ellas de vigilancia, control o administrativas). Se realizó análisis estratégico de las oportunidades y desafíos en el cumplimiento de las políticas públicas y control del dengue. RESULTADOS: Las bases jurídicas indican que la respuesta a la epidemia es una tarea multisectorial. Sin embargo, la respuesta está centrada en actividades de los servicios de la salud, que están forzados a dar mayor apoyo financiero y derivar los recursos humanos necesarios, en contraste con la contribución de otros sectores (e.g. agua y saneamiento básico), que desconocen sus responsabilidades. El sector de la salud presenta alto nivel de factibilidad para la vinculación intra?institucional, en términos de optimización de recursos y cumplimiento de objetivos, particularmente entre autoridades de salud en los niveles estatal, jurisdiccional, municipal y local. CONCLUSIONES: El abordaje multidisciplinario y el fortalecimiento de las responsabilidades políticas permitirán la respuesta eficaz ante la epidemia del dengue, sustentada en la coordinación sectorial e involucramiento activo de la población afectada.

Dengue, prevención & control; Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles; Control de Mosquitos; Vigilancia Epidemiológica; Participación Comunitaria; Politica Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria; Políticas Públicas de Salud

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Policy analysis of the dengue control program in Mexico

Análise política do programa de controle da dengue em Morelos, México

Mariana I González Fernández^I; Emanuel Orozco Núñez^II; Enrique Cifuentes^{III, IV}

^ICentro Regional de Control de Vectores. Servicios de Salud de Morelos. Morelos, México

^IICentro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud. Dirección de Innovación en Sistemas y Servicios de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP). México DF, México

^IIIEnvironmental Health Department. Harvard School of Public Health. Boston, USA

^IVDirección de Salud Ambiental. INSP. México DF, México

^{Correspondence}

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze municipal measures implemented to control the dengue epidemic, giving priority to the functions of intersectoral coordination, policy strengthening and community participation.

METHODS: The observational study was performed in Morelos, Mexico in 2007. Data collected in interviews and direct observations were submitted to contents analysis and policy mapping. Policy Maker software was used to evaluate the values assigned to the stakeholders' performance (i.e., high, medium and low criteria) and to their role (actions undertaken for surveillance, control or management). A strategic analysis of opportunities and challenges regarding public policies and dengue control was conducted.

RESULTS: The legal framework indicates that the approach to the dengue epidemic should be an intersectoral response. However, the burden of activities in terms of financial and human resources tends to fall on local health services, which contrasts with the contribution of other sectors (e.g., water and sanitation) that do not recognize their responsibilities. A high degree of operational feasibility links, in terms of optimization of resources and objectives fulfillment was detected, particularly among health authorities at state, jurisdictional and municipal levels.

CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach and strengthening of policy stewardship may allow a more efficient response to dengue outbreaks, sustained by intersectoral coordination and the active participation of the affected population.

Descriptors: Dengue, prevention & control. Communicable Disease Control. Mosquito Control. Epidemiologic Surveillance. Consumer Participation. National Policy of Health Surveillance. Health Public Policy.

RESUMO

OBJETIVO: Analisar medidas municipais implementadas para o controle da epidemia da dengue, sobretudo as de coordenação setorial, governança e participação de grupos sociais.

MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, realizado em Morelos, México, 2007. Os dados coletados em entrevistas e observações diretas foram submetidos a análise de conteúdo e mapeamento político. O software Policy Maker foi utilizado para avaliar os pesos atribuídos aos dados do desempenho (i.e., critérios alto, médio e baixo) e papel de atores (ações realizadas, sejam elas de vigilância, controle, sejam administrativas). Foi realizada análise estratégica das oportunidades e desafios no cumprimento das políticas públicas e controle da dengue.

RESULTADOS: As bases jurídicas indicam que a resposta à epidemia é uma tarefa multissetorial. Porém, a resposta está centrada em atividades dos serviços da saúde, que estão forçados a dar o maior apoio financeiro e a derivar os recursos humanos necessários, em contraste com a contribuição de outros setores (e.g., água e saneamento básico), que desconhecem as suas responsabilidades. O setor da saúde apresenta alto nível de factibilidade para a vinculação intra-institucional, em termos de otimização de recursos e cumprimento de objetivos, particularmente entre autoridades de saúde nos níveis estatal, jurisdicional, municipal e local.

CONCLUSÕES: A abordagem multidisciplinar e o fortalecimento das responsabilidades políticas permitirão a resposta eficaz perante a epidemia da dengue, sustentada na coordenação setorial e envolvimento ativo da população afetada.

Descritores: Dengue, prevenção & controle. Controle de Doenças Transmissíveis. Controle de Mosquitos. Vigilância Epidemiológica. Participação Comunitária. Política Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Políticas Públicas de Saúde.

INTRODUCTION

The reemergence of dengue fever (DF) and its serious manifestations (dengue hemorrhagic fever - DHF, dengue shock syndrome - DSS) dramatically reflect the consequences of urbanization, the collapse of public services (water and sanitation), the weakening of vector control programs and, in some form, extreme climatological phenomenon.^3,5-7 Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus and has an elevated prevalence at the global level with epidemiological, social and economic impacts.4,5,6,8,9,^a The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has calculated that 2.5 billion people live in risk areas, 50 million people are infected annually and more than 500 thousand develop the more serious form of illness: DHF.10,^b

To respond to the emergency, the World Health Organization (WHO) and PAHO10,^b established four principal guidelines for improving health policies and performance of prevention and control measures for dengue fever:

1. Political will of governments

2. Intersectoral coordination

3. Active participation of the community and

4. Strengthening of sanitation laws.

Of these components, the first two fundamentally involve the development of public policies and the implementation of sectoral and intersectoral programs, financial planning, human resources training and organization of intensive risk communication campaigns. The fundamental structure for the prevention and control of DF/DHF falls to the health sector, which has a protagonistic role in the tasks of epidemiological, entomological and environmental surveillance. Capacity building of personnel and coordination with other sectors are indispensible. The execution of these policies requires cooperation between levels of government and compliance with legislation that supports the prevention and control programs. Experience shows that active participation by the community in the sanitation of living spaces has important results, especially in eliminating the breeding places of the mosquito vector. These principals seek to strengthen policy implementation through coordinated attention to the necessities of water and sanitation. This should promote the structuring and coordination of government action, which should adjust to leadership and balance the exercise of power with the common interest.^1,12

In 2003, the Directing Council of WHO/PAHO approved resolution CD44R9, which promotes changes in the focus of national dengue control programs.^10,b This resolution highlights the importance of integrated management and of greater responsibility in the planning and implementation of activities: epidemiological surveillance (reporting of suspected and confirmed cases), laboratory diagnostics and timely confirmation, entomological surveillance (active searching for the vector and its habitat), environmental surveillance (e.g., water and sanitation) and risk communication.

Studies in Mexico do not exist that describe operational barriers from the perspective of agents involved in the surveillance and control programs of illnesses transmitted by the vector. The objective of the present study was to analyze the dengue control measures implemented at the municipal level, with special attention given to sectoral coordination, management and participation of social groups.

METHODS

We performed a descriptive study, utilizing policy analysis techniques of government priorities relative to DF and HDF control program in the state of Morelos, Mexico. We selected three municipalities from the location (Cuernavaca, Jojutla and Cuautla) due to their historical experiences with dengue outbreaks and complications, available registries of vector densities and coverage of basic public services (potable water, waste collection and final disposal of wastes).

We utilized rapid appraisal procedures (RAP) and policy analysis procedures.11-14,^f We reviewed the legislation related to intersectoral coordination and community participation, developed the interview guides and performed direct observation. The interviews were semi-structured and administered to key informants, with an emphasis on the tasks of intersectoral coordination and responses to outbreaks of vector transmitted illnesses. Key informants were defined as those that could influence the conduct of public policy or influence resource allocation and therefore impact the health and environment sectors. We visited the three municipalities and government offices, where direct non-participant observations were performed in order to evaluate compliance or performance of surveillance and control tasks. The study sample consisted of 29 key informants, stratified according to the level of government (state, jurisdictional, municipal and local) and selected because of their operational participation in risk communication, health and environmental sanitation promotion, planning, capacity building and the performance of epidemiological surveillance and control tasks.

The interviews were taped, except for some cases where, at the request of informants, only notes were taken. The information was coded according to the theme of interest and placed in content tables. In accordance with Bossert,² we developed a scale of values assigned to the variables analyzed (e.g. use of resources, knowledge of the legal framework, capacity building and performance of surveillance, prevention and control activities), assigning the following criteria: +++ optimum classification; ++ regular, + low or limited value.11,^f This type of metric has been applied to health reform policies.11,^f

The analysis of the system's leadership was undertaken based on a review of policies pertaining to the control of dengue (General Health Law, State Health Law, the Official Mexican Norm - 032-SSA2-2002,^c,d,e the state development plan^g,^h and municipal development plans of Cuernavaca,ⁱ,^j Jojutla^k and Cuautla^l,^m). The review of the legal framework identified normative provisions that establish different degrees of intersectoral responsibility, from the federal to the municipal domain. However, the application of this framework has clearer operational language in the state health sector than, for example, compared to the municipal health, water and sanitation sectors.

The PolicyMaker software program was used as an auxiliary tool14,11,ⁿ,^f that allows for electronically ordering the information for specific procedures. For example, it can help in the mapping and identification of policy agents, dependencies and programs, definition of objectives of the policy agenda, knowledge of the legal framework, response tasks during vector transmitted illnesses and identification of barriers and opportunities.

Finally, we performed the strategy analysis using the perspectives of informants and their recommendations as a reference point.

This study was reviewed and approved by research ethics committees of the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica de México (protocol number 7916-A1 SALUD-2002-C01) in September 2007.

RESULTS

Policy and its agents

Table 1 shows the degree of involvement and power of the agents, in regards to dengue control and prevention policies.

Once we defined power as depending on the resources allocated to dengue prevention and control activities, we observed that the health services sector provides greater financial and human resources support, in contrast to what other sectors devote to larval control, spraying and sanitation (e.g., clean yard) activities. We found that the reported support was not homogenous between the different municipalities affected by dengue.

We identified an important lack of knowledge about the legislation concerning intersectoral coordination. Also, there is evidence that the municipal water and sanitation sectors, municipal councils, and the actual community, mistakenly assume that the health services are the only ones responsible for dengue prevention and control.

The degree of implementation of prevention and control activities are presented in Table 2. Sanitation and cleaning activities showed poor performance at the municipal level, although these activities positively impact the empowerment of the population and eventually strengthen the impact of community interventions to eliminate mosquito breeding areas. The cause of this deficiency in the state and jurisdictional domains is the limited participation of the most affected communities in the activities developed by health services.

Informants from health services reported a satisfactory implementation of functions related to management, planning and execution of actions in the jurisdictional and municipal domains. We found a different situation in other sectors, such as the State Commission of Water and the Environment (CEAMA), the municipal sanitation services and the actual populations of the communities, who demonstrated a low performance of prevention activities.

Areas of opportunity

Table 3 shows the opportunities for strengthening public policy and dengue control programs, considering the low participation of sectors outside of the health services. When considering the involvement in policy-making, our results suggest a high degree of operational feasibility for the health sector, as well as the state, jurisdictional and municipal levels. We found a medium level of opportunity in regards to intersectoral cooperation, due to unfamiliarity or non-compliance with legal responsibilities on the part of the other sectors. In regards to the registry system for probable and confirmed dengue cases, we assigned a medium degree of feasibility for improvement among health personnel, municipal councils and the community, due to their limited participation in epidemiological surveillance activities.

The challenges

Table 4 presents the principle challenges identified through the analysis of current regulations, government priorities, state and municipal development plants, the leadership of agents, the definition of roles and tasks related to the control and prevention of dengue.

The changing and transfer of trained staff stands out among the main challenges because it complicates the following of intersectoral accords and implementation agreements. We observed a similar occurrence among the municipal and state authorities. These challenges were corroborated through field visits and the verification of epidemiologic information, specifically the period of greatest decline in dengue control and prevention activities, on the one hand, and increase in cases and outbreaks, on the other.ⁿ

The lack of clarity in tasks around the provisioning of water and environmental sanitation, which legally should be assumed by CEAMA and the local population, constantly appeared as significant challenges. We identified several operational contradictions and duplications in the content of the Federal and State Health Laws, which have a low degree of practicability for the compliance of functions and responsibilities of CEAMA and the community.

The most practical challenges to overcome within the health sector concern the dispersal of information, communication channels for messages pertinent to the population and access to existing technological tools. The involvement and leadership of agents from the health services appears to improve linkages and coordination between other agents of the health sector. This was reflected in the medium level of practicability for linkages and coordination among these agents.

DISCUSSION

The analysis of dengue control policies demonstrates the poor management of intersectoral tasks, with an excess burden of activities for the health sector and unfavorable implications in terms of financial resources and human resources. According to this analysis, institutional failings involve other public services (water supply and sanitation at the municipal level) and include a list of operational non-compliance in the tasks of vector control and notification of suspected and confirmed dengue cases. These omissions and failings explain somehow the relative absence of the local population in activities to eliminate breeding areas of the mosquito vector. The combined institutional and social failings have resulted in the epidemiologic situation of dengue in the state of Morelos during the last ten years.

Compliance with the different levels of responsibility would allow for greater transparency and improved performance by the respective spheres of competency and levels of government. Even when the existing legislation clearly indicates that vector control is a municipal responsibility, mechanisms do not yet exist to guarantee intersectoral compliance with the regulatory framework in terms of financial and operational participation.^2,12 As far as we know, the observations described in this study represent an original finding in the policy analysis of our country's dengue control program.

Although municipal health personnel had medium influence upon dengue control and prevention activities, the implementation of these tasks was performed by the health sector at the jurisdictional level, even when it does not have real autonomy to make the respective decisions.

On the other hand, concerning the identification of opportunities, the existence of formal regulatory frameworks could reinforce intersectoral coordination in the epidemic control program, especially in terms of accountability, achieving results and improving the effectiveness of health protection activities.

The focus of this study has documented an excess burden of dengue control activities upon the health sector. A similar situation has been reported in Cuba and other countries affected by the epidemic.¹⁵ Therefore, we emphasize the urgency of supporting a comprehensive strategy that links public policies with the supply of health services and promotes social participation, with available resources directed to more at-risk populations.^15-17

According to this perspective and based on principles proposed by the WHO/PAHO and the National Health Program,^º the recommendations proposed in Figure 1 would help: a) noticeably reduce the density of Aedes mosquitoes and risk factors for dengue transmission; b) reinforce the epidemiological surveillance system, improving laboratory, diagnostic and treatment capacity for cases; and c) optimize communication processes, within and between sectors, for the timely exchange of information. Also, mechanisms for effective leadership and accountability should provide transparency and sustainability to the prevention and control of dengue epidemics in these communities.

The most salient opportunities for linkages between agents, who could strengthen the dengue prevention and control program, are presented in the Figure, such as:

• Intersectoral linkages between agents of the state, jurisdictional and municipal health sectors, especially: CEAMA, municipal sanitation, municipal councils and the community.

• Strengthening of the case detection, diagnosis and notification system on the part of all agents, including the community.

• Involve all agents in the collection and final disposal of solid waste, promoting the elimination of the most productive mosquito breeding locations.

• Capacity of sector personnel such as: CEAMA, sanitation and waste and municipal councils, thereby strengthening the capacity of health personnel to standardize the information they provide to the population.

• Provide continuity to collaboration agreements between institutions (i.e. health and municipal services).

• Publish regulations to provide continuity to the State Health Law, thereby guaranteeing compliance with (financial and human resource) functions and responsibilities by the agents: state (CEAMA), municipal (Municipal Health, sanitation and waste and municipal councils) and local (population of the community).

• Implement vector control actions, involving the community through the participation of the school population.

• Adapt education activities provided by the health promotion programs to dengue materials, involving and establishing intersectoral linkages with the Education Sector and CEAMA.

• Strengthen epidemiological, entomological and laboratory communication, at the state jurisdictional, municipal and local level.

• Encourage transdisciplinarity and establishing integrated strategies by creating multidisciplinary work groups (entomologists, decision-makers, epidemiological community leaders, ecologists and anthropologists).

• Meet infrastructure needs for the provision of potable water and waste disposal at the municipal level.

• Strengthen priorities in the government agenda at the level of municipal authorities (particularly in communities more susceptible to dengue).

REFERENCES

Received: 8/5/2009

Approved: 6/6/2010

Article based on Master's dissertation by Fernandez MIG, presented to the Escuela de Salud Pública de México in 2008.

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  08 Oct 2010
• Date of issue
  Dec 2010

History

• Accepted
  06 June 2010
• Received
  05 Aug 2009