Environmental Sanitation and the Presence of Aedes aegypti Larvae in Slum Settlements

A cross-sectional entomological study was undertaken in the slum area of Maccini Sombala, Makassar City, to investigate the association between environmental sanitation conditions and the presence of Aedes aegypti larvae. A total of 100 households were examined for domestic breeding habitats, and 21 of them were found positive for Aedes immatures, resulting in a House Index (HI) of 21%. Descriptive evaluation using four major indicators of environmental sanitation demonstrated that inadequate solid waste management and poor domestic wastewater drainage (SPAL) had the highest contribution to mosquito breeding (23.1% and 23.6%, respectively), followed by substandard household latrine facilities (JAGA = 13.9%) and unsatisfactory water supply conditions (PAB = 10.5%). The results suggest that insufficient sanitation infrastructure and weak water management practices in slum communities foster favourable environments for Aedes proliferation. Enhancing public engagement and behavioural modification through the “3M Plus” strategy which includes covering, cleaning, and recycling water-holding containers alongside additional vector control efforts is essential to suppress larvae habitats and minimize dengue transmission risks.