Evaluation of Provincial Implementation of Dengue Surveillance, Prevention, and Control Measures in Thailand, 2018–2022

Abstract

     This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the implementation of surveillance, prevention, and control measures for dengue at the provincial level during 2018 - 2022 and to provide operation recommendations. The employed purposive sampling to select 47 provinces. The evaluation covered 4operational domains: 1) disease surveillance, 2) disease prevention and control, 3) diagnosis and treatment, and 4) risk communication, together with an assessment of the effectiveness of these measures resulting in a total of 5 evaluation domains. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

     The results showed that most provinces were located in the central region (36.17%). Overall implementation performance was predominantly at a very good level (80.85%). When analyzed by domain, four components were rated at a very good level, whereas effectiveness was rated at a good level. Diagnosis and treatment achieved the highest mean score ( = 2.90, SD = 0.48) indicating a very good level, while effectiveness had the lowest mean score ( = 1.53, SD = 0.49) although it remained at a good level. At the indicator level, integrating disease situation data with other relevant received the highest mean score ( = 2.98, SD = 0.15) indicating a very good level, whereas the implementation of sustainable dengue management at
the subdistrict level had the lowest mean score ( = 1.15, SD = 0.36) indicating a fair level.

     These findings indicate that the system is strong in terms of operational processes.  However, significant gaps remained in effectiveness and sustainability. Practical recommendations include strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems that emphasize outcome-based effectiveness, enhancing sustainable subdistrict dengue management mechanisms, promoting community participation, and integrating operations with local administrative organizations to improve the long-term effectiveness of dengue control.