A social media-based participatory epidemiology approach for vector-borne disease prevention (VBDP) in South Asia

• Main Authors: Lwin, May Oo, Foo, Schubert, Theng, Yin-Leng, Vijaykumar, Santosh, Cheong, Siew Ann, Lim, Gentatsu
• Other Authors: Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Microbiology::Microorganisms
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/95703; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/10053; http://www.thinkmind.org/index.php?view=article&articleid=etelemed_2013_11_20_40221
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Every year millions of people in south Asia and other tropical regions face the threat of vector-borne infectious diseases (VBD) such as Malaria and Dengue. Existing prevention strategies use principles of epidemiology and health communication separately, despite the fact that new technological capabilities may enable us to integrate the two disciplines. This paper describes an ongoing effort in Singapore that plans to integrate hotspot mapping, civic engagement and health communication to extend the boundaries of participatory epidemiology in VBD prevention. We chronicle the research that informed our approach, present the conceptual underpinnings from a participatory epidemiological lens, and describe the challenges and opportunities encountered. It is our hope that, when actualized, this trans-disciplinary model integrating insights from public health, communication and sociology will provide a holistic solution for policymakers and health prevention agencies tackling VBD threats in south Asia.