Ravi Prakash1 , Purnendu Kumar Singh2 , Akhil Bandhu Biswas3
BACKGROUND The mosquito-borne disease results in avoidable ill health and death which also has been emphasized in National Health Policy in India. Environmental management strategies that reduce / eliminate mosquito breeding sites combined with improved personal prevention strategies can help to significantly reduce transmission of these infections. The aim of study was to assess the knowledge about mosquito borne diseases, attitude and practices for prevention and treatment of the various diseases spread by mosquitoes among residents of rural area of Katihar district, Bihar. METHODS A cross sectional community based KAP study was conducted by using predesigned and pretested questionnaire. A total of 492 study participants were selected for the study by random sampling technique after numbering each house in the study area. Data was collected from the adult members in family who were present at the time of visit. Informed consent was taken from each participant and confidentiality about identity of participant was maintained throughout the study. RESULTS Among a total of 492 participants, maximum belonged to age group 18-30 years (35.16%) and least to the age group of more than 60 years (7.72%). Regarding knowledge about mosquito borne diseases, 449 (91.26%) participants among all 492 were aware /heard about the disease. Among them 74.39% told about malaria, followed by 36.3% about dengue, 32.74% about chikungunya and only 6.46% participants told about kala-azar. Regarding symptoms 77.06% participants named fever. When enquired about breeding places of mosquito, 56.57% participants told that dirty water is responsible, followed by water stored in tyre / cooler / container (22.94%) and 20.49% were unaware. Majority participants (67.71%) reported that radio/television were the main source for the knowledge. In this study, 53.90% participants agreed that both government & public are responsible for the management of mosquito born diseases. 44.10% participants were still using smoke to control the mosquitoes in their area, followed by use of mosquito net (25.39%). When asked about the practices followed by them to eradicate the breeding site of mosquitoes, 71.49% didn’t do anything, CONCLUSIONS Knowledge and attitude of participants in this study regarding mosquito borne diseases were below average and practices adopted by them were unsatisfactory. Hence, intensified efforts should be made towards creating public awareness, and strengthening personal protective- and community-measures to prevent mosquito borne diseases. There is also a need for district health departments & treating doctors to improve availability of information about mosquito borne diseases.
