Dengue in Zorgho, Burkina Faso: Exploring Popular Knowledge and Community Engagement through a Socio-Anthropological Study

Introduction: Since 2013, Burkina Faso has faced recurrent dengue epidemics, and the 2023 outbreak was the largest ever recorded in the country and in Africa. Urban centres are especially affected because of rapid urban growth, social inequalities, and limited health services. Official prevention efforts often align poorly with the ways communities name and understand the disease, and with low community ownership of preventive measures. Aim/Objectives: This study examined how local knowledge of dengue and community engagement shape dengue prevention and management in Zorgho, in order to identify practical conditions for a more effective, community-based response. Methods: This was a qualitative exploratory study using individual semi-structured interviews, one focus group discussion, and field observations. The study included 104 participants: 98 individual interviewees and six focus-group participants. Participants were selected purposively. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Two main findings emerged. First, most residents recognised the word “dengue” but had limited understanding of its causes, symptoms, and transmission; many merged it with malaria under the local term palu-dengue, and some held the mistaken belief that dengue spreads directly from person to person. Second, community engagement drew on a well-organized set of local authorities and channels, including customary chiefs, administrative officials, religious leaders, women’s and youth associations, local radio, and town criers. Conclusion: Local knowledge and existing community structures offer a practical foundation for dengue prevention. Public health programmes in Zorgho should engage customary, administrative, and religious leaders, use trusted local communication channels, and design health education that builds on accurate local observations while correcting key misconceptions, particularly the belief in person-to-person transmission.