Department of Mathematics and Statistics, School of Applied Sciences, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
Department of Environmental Health, School of Applied Sciences, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
Malar J. 2021 Mar 17;20(1):150. doi: 10.1186/s12936-021-03683-5.
Mosquito larval source management (LSM) is a key outdoor malaria vector control strategy in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge of this strategy is important for optimal design and implementation of effective malaria control interventions in this region. This study assessed household knowledge, perceptions and practices of mosquito LSM methods (draining stagnant water, larviciding, clearing grass/bushes and clean environment).
A cross-sectional design was used whereby 479 households were selected using two-stage sampling in Mwanza district, Malawi. A household questionnaire was administered to an adult member of the house. Respondents were asked questions on knowledge, perceptions and practices of mosquito LSM methods. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with high-level knowledge of mosquito LSM methods.
Majority of the respondents (64.5%) had high-level knowledge of mosquito LSM methods. Specifically, 63.7% (200/314) had positive perceptions about draining stagnant water, whereas 95.3% (223/234) practiced clean environment for malaria control and 5.2% had knowledge about larviciding. Compared to respondents with primary education, those with secondary education were more likely, whereas those without education were less likely, to have high-level knowledge of mosquito LSM methods (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI 1.45-8.63 and AOR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.23-0.64, respectively). Compared to respondents engaged in crop farming, those engaged in mixed farming (including pastoralists) and the self-employed (including business persons) were more likely to have high-level knowledge of mosquito LSM methods (AOR = 6.95, 95% CI 3.39-14.23 and AOR = 3.61, 95% CI 1.47-8.86, respectively). Respondents living in mud-walled households were less likely to have high-knowledge of mosquito LSM methods than those living in brick-walled households (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.30-0.86).
A high-level knowledge of mosquito LSM methods was established. However, when designing and implementing this strategy, specific attention should be paid to the uneducated, crop farmers and those living in poor households.
蚊幼虫源管理（LSM）是撒哈拉以南非洲农村社区户外疟疾媒介控制的关键策略。了解这一策略对于在该地区设计和实施有效的疟疾控制干预措施非常重要。本研究评估了家庭对蚊幼虫源管理方法（排干死水、幼虫防治、清除杂草/灌木和清洁环境）的知识、看法和做法。
采用横断面设计，在马拉维姆万扎区采用两阶段抽样选择了 479 户家庭。对家庭中的一名成年成员进行了家庭问卷调查。被调查者被问及蚊幼虫源管理方法的知识、看法和做法。采用多变量逻辑回归模型确定与蚊幼虫源管理方法高水平知识相关的因素。
大多数受访者（64.5%）对蚊幼虫源管理方法有较高的了解。具体而言，63.7%（200/314）对排干死水有积极看法，而 95.3%（223/234）为控制疟疾而实行清洁环境，5.2%了解幼虫防治。与受过小学教育的受访者相比，受过中学教育的受访者更有可能，而未受过教育的受访者不太可能对蚊幼虫源管理方法有较高的了解（AOR=3.54，95%CI 1.45-8.63 和 AOR=0.38，95%CI 0.23-0.64）。与从事农作物种植的受访者相比，从事混合农业（包括牧民）和自营职业（包括商人）的受访者更有可能对蚊幼虫源管理方法有较高的了解（AOR=6.95，95%CI 3.39-14.23 和 AOR=3.61，95%CI 1.47-8.86）。与居住在泥墙房屋的受访者相比，居住在砖墙房屋的受访者更有可能对蚊幼虫源管理方法有较高的了解（AOR=0.50，95%CI 0.30-0.86）。
蚊幼虫源管理方法的知识水平较高。然而，在设计和实施这一战略时，应特别关注未受过教育的人、农作物种植者和居住在贫困家庭的人。
