Abstract:
Background: Since 2010, Tanzania has been experiencing frequent outbreaks of Dengue. The
objective of this study was to carry out a socio-ecological systems analysis and assess the
readiness in Dengue prevention and control in Kinondoni and Ilala districts of Dar es Salaam City,
Tanzania.
Methods: Twenty-seven key district officials responsible for human and animal health were
involved in a socio-ecological systems framework analysis as regards to Dengue. In addition, the
readiness of the districts to respond to Dengue outbreaks and the performance of the disease
surveillance system were assessed.
Results: The two districts were characterized by both urban and peri-urban ecosystems, with a
mixture of planned and unplanned settlements. None of the two districts reported readiness in
the management and control of Dengue outbreaks, in terms of clinical competence, diagnostic
capacities, surveillance system and control/prevention measures. Mosquito breeding sites
especially discarded automobile tyres were reported to be scattered in the districts. Constraining
factors in implementing disease surveillance included lack of guidelines, difficult language used in
Standard Case Definitions, lack of appropriate rapid response teams, inadequate knowledge on
outbreak investigation and data management among healthcare workers as well as inadequate
laboratory capacity.
Conclusion: The two districts had limited readiness in the management and control of Dengue, in
terms of clinical competence, diagnostic capacities, surveillance system and prevention
measures. It is important that the challenges are urgently addressed.
