Can WhatsApp messages stop dengue? new study tests digital health in colombia

NCT ID NCT07517731

Completed Prevention Sponsor: University of Freiburg Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether sending health tips via WhatsApp could help families in Colombia prevent dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. About 900 households were split into three groups: one got WhatsApp messages plus community support, one got community support only, and one got routine care. Researchers checked if households cleaned water containers more often and if mosquito breeding decreased. The goal was to see if a simple phone-based strategy could make a real difference in disease prevention.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: WhatsApp-based health messages and protective coating for laundry tanks
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could offer a low-cost, scalable way to reduce mosquito-borne diseases in at-risk communities.
What could go wrong: This is a completed implementation study, not a drug trial. Results may not apply to other regions or populations, and behavior change can be hard to sustain long-term.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases vector-borne disease chikungunya prevention target dengue disease prevention target Zika virus infectious disease prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AEDES-BORNE DISEASES CHIKUNGUNYA DENGUE ZIKA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre for Medicine and Society

Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Wurttemberg, 79098, Germany
Instituto Departamental de Salud de Norte de Santander

Cúcuta, Norte de Satander, 540001, Colombia

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