Adam T Craig1, Nathan Kama2, George Fafale3, Hugo Bugoro4. 1. University of New South Wales (Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 2. Vector-borne Disease Unit, Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 3. Environmental Health Unit, Honiara City Council, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 4. Solomon Islands National University, Honiara, Solomon Islands. hugo.bugoro@sinu.edu.sb.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent arboviral disease outbreaks highlight the value a better understanding of the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes across spatial-temporal scales can provide. Traditional surveillance tools are limited by jurisdictional boundaries, workforce constraints, logistics, and cost; factors that in low- and middle-income countries often conspire to undermine public health protection efforts. To overcome these, we undertake a pilot study designed to explore if citizen science provides a feasible strategy for arboviral vector surveillance in small developing Pacific island contexts. METHODS: We recruited, trained, and equipped community volunteers to trap and type mosquitos within their household settings, and to report count data to a central authority by short-message-service. Mosquito catches were independently assessed to measure participants' mosquito identification accuracy. Other data were collected to measure the frequency and stability of reporting, and volunteers' experiences. RESULTS: Participants collected data for 78.3% of the study period, and agreement between the volunteer citizen scientists' and the reviewing entomologist's mosquito identification was 94%. Opportunity to contribute to a project of social benefit, the chance to learn new skills, and the frequency of engagement with project staff were prime motivators for participation. Unstable electricity supply (required to run the trap's fan), insufficient personal finances (to buy electricity and phone credit), and inconvenience were identified as barriers to sustained participation. CONCLUSIONS: While there are challenges to address, our findings suggest that citizen science offers an opportunity to overcome the human resource constraints that conspire to limit health authorities' capacity to monitor arboviral vectors across populations. We note that the success of citizen science-based surveillance is dependent on the appropriate selection of equipment and participants, and the quality of engagement and support provided.
BACKGROUND: Recent arboviral disease outbreaks highlight the value a better understanding of the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes across spatial-temporal scales can provide. Traditional surveillance tools are limited by jurisdictional boundaries, workforce constraints, logistics, and cost; factors that in low- and middle-income countries often conspire to undermine public health protection efforts. To overcome these, we undertake a pilot study designed to explore if citizen science provides a feasible strategy for arboviral vector surveillance in small developing Pacific island contexts. METHODS: We recruited, trained, and equipped community volunteers to trap and type mosquitos within their household settings, and to report count data to a central authority by short-message-service. Mosquito catches were independently assessed to measure participants' mosquito identification accuracy. Other data were collected to measure the frequency and stability of reporting, and volunteers' experiences. RESULTS:Participants collected data for 78.3% of the study period, and agreement between the volunteer citizen scientists' and the reviewing entomologist's mosquito identification was 94%. Opportunity to contribute to a project of social benefit, the chance to learn new skills, and the frequency of engagement with project staff were prime motivators for participation. Unstable electricity supply (required to run the trap's fan), insufficient personal finances (to buy electricity and phone credit), and inconvenience were identified as barriers to sustained participation. CONCLUSIONS: While there are challenges to address, our findings suggest that citizen science offers an opportunity to overcome the human resource constraints that conspire to limit health authorities' capacity to monitor arboviral vectors across populations. We note that the success of citizen science-based surveillance is dependent on the appropriate selection of equipment and participants, and the quality of engagement and support provided.
Authors: Mark R Duffy; Tai-Ho Chen; W Thane Hancock; Ann M Powers; Jacob L Kool; Robert S Lanciotti; Moses Pretrick; Maria Marfel; Stacey Holzbauer; Christine Dubray; Laurent Guillaumot; Anne Griggs; Martin Bel; Amy J Lambert; Janeen Laven; Olga Kosoy; Amanda Panella; Brad J Biggerstaff; Marc Fischer; Edward B Hayes Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2009-06-11 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: John R B Palmer; Aitana Oltra; Francisco Collantes; Juan Antonio Delgado; Javier Lucientes; Sarah Delacour; Mikel Bengoa; Roger Eritja; Frederic Bartumeus Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2017-10-24 Impact factor: 14.919
Authors: Adam T Craig; Cynthia A Joshua; Alison R Sio; Mark Donoghoe; Brigid Betz-Stablein; Nemia Bainivalu; Tenneth Dalipanda; John Kaldor; Alexander E Rosewell; Gill Schierhout Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2018-12-20 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Larissa Braz Sousa; Stephen Fricker; Cameron E Webb; Katherine L Baldock; Craig R Williams Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-23 Impact factor: 4.614