Assessment of local ordinance related to mosquito control by local administrative organizations in 2014

Abstract

Vector borne diseases cause a serious public health problem in Thailand, especially dengue, which is widely distributed throughout the country. Although Chapter 5 of Public Health Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) authorized local administrative organizations (LAOs) to enact ordinances to control Aedes mosquito breeding places. Such law application is being adopted only in some areas. This study aims to assess and identify problems in regard to the enactment of ordinances on dengue vector control. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. A total of 7,775 questionnaires were sent to LAOs and 20 LAOs were interviewed. 51.8 percent of questionnaires were returned and 25.1% of LAOs had enacted ordinances. The study results showed that enactment was encouraged by high dengue incidence in the responsible areas and the local administrators’ policy on dengue vector control. The success factors are local government awareness and strong public participation. The failure factors are lack of understanding in Public Health Act B.E. 2535 by local administrators, inadequate enforcement due to its impact on local government elections, including poor cooperation and engagement of community stakeholders. A few suggestions were recommended, for example, working closely with the Department of Local Administration, enhancing risk communication for the abatement of mosquito breeding places, and effectively implementing local ordinances to control mosquito breeding places. This study also recommended good practice guidelines for ordinance drafting and ordinance adoption, providing more and improved channels of communication, building capacity of officials at both central and regional levels to enable them supporting LAOs for enacting local ordinances.