The original paper "Risk Factors of Dengue Fever in Urban Areas of Rawalpindi District in Pakistan During 2017: A Case Control Study" examines the main risk factors associated with a dengue fever outbreak in urban Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2017. The study included 373 confirmed cases and compared them with matched controls to identify environmental and behavioral factors linked to infection. It found that household water storage, contact with confirmed dengue cases, and travel to outbreak areas increased the risk, while mosquito repellents and regular water supply had protective effects.
Key Insights
The study included 373 confirmed dengue cases, with 75% of cases occurring among males.
The 21–30 age group was the most affected, accounting for 40% of cases.
Two deaths were recorded, resulting in a case fatality rate of 0.53%.
Contact with a confirmed dengue case significantly increased the likelihood of infection.
Storing water in open containers at home was an important risk factor because it created mosquito breeding sites.
Regular water supply and the use of mosquito repellents were strongly associated with reduced dengue risk.
DENV-2 was the most common dengue serotype, representing 39% of tested cases.
The study recommends eliminating stagnant and uncovered stored water, promoting mosquito repellents and bed nets, strengthening community awareness, and improving disease surveillance.
