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

NCT ID NCT07517731

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

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