Community participation and technological innovation: Baseline qualitative insights to inform a five-year cohort on drone-based dengue surveillance in Malaysia

TL;DR

This study explores how communities in Malaysia perceive using drones for dengue surveillance, emphasizing trust, transparency, and community involvement for successful implementation.

Contribution

The study introduces a conceptual framework for integrating community perspectives with drone-based mosquito surveillance to enhance public health interventions.

Findings

Community trust in drone use increases when transparency about purpose and data is maintained.

Privacy concerns are minimal when drones are used for mosquito breeding site monitoring rather than personal surveillance.

Advance notice of drone flights and targeted surveillance in hotspots improve community acceptance.

Abstract

To inform a prospective cohort study five-year automated surveillance study, this study explores households and stakeholder perceptions of using drones for mosquito breeding site surveillance as part of dengue control strategies in Selangor, Malaysia. A qualitative design identified diverse perspectives across eight high-risk localities. Data were collected through 480 in-depth interviews with household heads, from a newly established cohort of households, and six key informant interviews with public health professionals. Participants were selected using typical case and expert sampling methods to ensure representation across socioeconomic and urban heterogeneity.

This study developed a conceptual framework integrating community-based vector control, public health technology adoption, and drone-assisted surveillance, structured into five stages: Inputs, Processes, Outputs, Outcomes, and Impacts. It was applied in Selangor, Malaysia, a dengue-endemic state, to assess the feasibility and perception of drone-based interventions. Data were collected through 480 in-depth household interviews and six key informant interviews with public health experts, using semi-structured formats. Thematic analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s approach to identify recurring patterns across technical, organizational, and social dimensions of implementation.

Participants supported drone use when positioned as mosquito breeding site monitoring tools rather than personal surveillance. Transparent communication about purpose, data use, and operational boundaries was key to maintaining trust. Targeted use in known mosquito hotspots was preferred over random surveillance. Privacy concerns were minimal, and most households strongly supported using drones for surveillance of mosquito habitats to aid in dengue control. Many simply requested advance notice of flight schedules to stay informed and engaged.

Community motivation stemmed from a sense of collective responsibility, with most participants valuing their involvement as a contribution to neighborhood well-being. Trust, transparency, and consistent communication were identified as essential for long-term engagement and the success of the project. These findings underscore the importance of aligning innovation with local social dynamics and demonstrate the value of participatory approaches in public health surveillance technologies interventions.

This study shows that aligning drone surveillance technologies with cultural dynamics and fostering trust through transparency and communication promotes community acceptance and sustained engagement. The research identifies key factors, including privacy, efficiency, and geographic challenges, that influence drone adoption in diverse settings, providing insights to overcome barriers and optimize implementation. Reframing drones as mosquito control tools builds community trust and highlights their global scalability for disease prevention. The research highlights the value of integrating community perspectives with technical innovation to design effective and implement context-sensitive public health surveillance technologies.

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