Community knowledge, attitude and practices on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viral diseases in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract Background Mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVD) are among the important human and animal health threats globally. Gaining insights on behaviours and practices of local population on MBVD can improve understanding of socio-demographic and cultural factors to be addressed in intervention packages. This study was carried out to explore community knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding mosquito and MBVD in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).Methods A cross sectional survey involving heads of household was carried out in Kinshasa, DRC, between January and April 2019. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices on mosquito and MBVD was collected through a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Epi Info 7 software.Results A total of 1,464 individuals were involved in the study. Of these, 69% were under 44 years of age, 60.7% were females and the majority (90.2%) were educated. One-third of the houses had insect window screens, 61.2% had open garbage cans, 33.4% had outdoor water storage units, 25.1% had stagnant water collection and 22.5% water containers. The majority (80.3%) of the respondent mentioned polluted water bodies as the main mosquito breeding places. Yellow fever (86.6%) was the most commonly known MBVD. Overall, 12% of the respondents knew that mosquitoes are vectors of these viruses. Majority of respondents (72.5%) felt to be at risk of contracting MBVD. Drainage and blocked draining water channels, dirty, agriculture, house and road construction, animal rearing and automobile garages were associated with mosquito abundance. Health professionals, family member, radio/television and/or school/university were the main source of information. Cleaning environment (58%) and/or use of insecticides (25%) were the main measures implemented in controlling of mosquitoes. Mosquito net ownership (87.4%) and use (67%) were high.Conclusion Most of the residents of Kinshasa had limited knowledge on the roles of mosquitoes in the transmission of pathogenic viruses in both humans and animals. Raising awareness and educational sessions are essential in empowering the community on the correct attitudes and practices in order to effectively manage the risk posed by MBVD.

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Community knowledge, attitude and practices on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viral diseases in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

10.21203/rs.2.14941/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

kennedy makola mbanzulu ◽

Leonard E.G. Mboera ◽

Roger Wumba ◽

Josué K. Zanga ◽

Flory K. Luzolo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Animal Health ◽

Good Practice ◽

Local Population ◽

Polluted Water ◽

Viral Diseases ◽

Community Knowledge ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background Mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVD) are among the important human and animal health threats globally. Gaining insights on behaviours and practices of local population on MBVD can improve understanding of socio-demographic and cultural factors to be addressed in intervention packages. This study was carried out to explore community knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding mosquitoes and MBVD in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods A cross sectional survey involving heads of household was carried out in Kinshasa, DRC, between January and April 2019. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices on mosquito and MBVD was collected through a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Epi Info 7. Results A total of 1,464 representatives were involved in the study. Of these, 69% were under 44 years of age, 60.7% were females and the majority (90.2%) were educated. One-third of the houses had insect window screens, 61.2% had open garbage cans, 33.4% had outdoor water storage units, 25.1% had stagnant water collection and 22.5% had water containers. The majority (80.3%) of the respondent mentioned polluted water bodies as the main mosquito breeding places. Yellow fever (86.6%) was the most commonly known MBVD. Overall, 12% of the respondents knew that mosquitoes are vectors of these viruses. Majority of respondents (72.5%) felt to be at risk of contracting MBVD. Blocked draining water channels, dirty, agriculture, house and road construction, animal rearing and automobile garages were associated with mosquito abundance. Health professionals, family member, radio/television and/or school/university were the main source of information. Cleaning environment (58%) and/or use of insecticides (25%) were the main measures implemented in controlling mosquitoes. Mosquito net ownership (87.4%) and use (67%) were high. The greater overall of knowledge score (OR: 1.4; p =0.1), attitude (OR: 1.22; p =0.1) were not predictor of good practice. Conclusion Most of the residents of Kinshasa had limited knowledge on the role of mosquitoes in the transmission of pathogenic viruses in both humans and animals. Raising awareness and educational sessions are essential in empowering the community on the correct attitudes and practices in order to effectively manage the risk posed by MBVD.

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Long-lasting Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among households in Bonzola Health Zone in Mbuji-Mayi.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-30044/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chrys Promesse Kabuya Kaniki

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Malaria Control Programme ◽

Human Beings ◽

Mosquito Net ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Health Zone ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Malaria is the most widespread parasitic disease in the world. It is a major risk of morbidity and mortality for more than two billion human beings worldwide. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it is one of the three leading causes of death among the most vulnerable groups - children under five and pregnant women. The impregnated mosquito net is currently one of the best ways to prevent malaria.The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of households related to the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated net in Bonzola Health Zone in the City of Mbuji-Mayi .This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with 360 households. Our statistical unit was the household. The interview technique was used to collect data that were encoded, processed and analyzed using Excel 2007 software. In our statistical analyses, we used the calculation of frequencies, mean, standard deviation and proportions. The Chi-square test was used for association research.Overall, 93.83% of respondents have a good knowledge of the long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLITN) and its benefits, 96.94% have a positive attitude towards its use and only 61.39% have good practices. The LLITN use rate the night before the survey is 90.28% and the availability rate of LLITNs in households is estimated at 94.44%.Certain factors limit the effective use of LLINs by households. Although population knowledge and attitude are good enough, the utilization of LLITNs did not much progress comparing to the proportion of pregnant women sleeping under an ITN (60%) revealed in the 2013 MICS-DRC Report.These results reflect what the last free distribution of LLITNs carried out in August 2015 by the Government (through the National Malaria Control Programme, in partnership with ASF/PSI) has largely produced as impact to the beneficiary population.

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