Abstract. To look for risk factors for dengue and community participation in dengue control in
Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam, three communes with a low incidence of dengue and three
with a high incidence, in Binh Thuan Province, were compared. Knowledge, perception and
preventive practice of dengue were measured by means of a structured questionnaire. A check
list of environmental observations was used to evaluate environmental factors. Focus group
discussion was conducted to evaluate perceptions of key factors for dengue vector control
and community participation. One hundred ninety households in 6 communes were included
in the study. Several statistically significant differences between low and high incidence communities
were identified. The factors associated with a higher risk of dengue fever on the
logistic regression were occupation (farmer) (RR 7.94; 95%CI 2.29-27.55), number of children
less than 15 years old in the household (RR 1.54; 95%CI 1.06-2.23), no experience with dengue
fever in the household (RR 2.334; 95%CI 1.12- 4.88), a garden near the house (RR 2.22;
95% CI 1.18-4.17) and water containers having mosquito larvae (RR 1.64; 95%CI 1.02-2.62).
Television was the most important source of information. There were differences in risk factors
for dengue among communes with low and high incidences. Communication regarding dengue
prevention should be improved in high incidence communes. Community participation in
dengue vector control should be promoted to make the dengue control programs more efficient
with greater coordination of resources.