Source reduction with a purpose: Mosquito ecology and community perspectives offer insights for improving household mosquito management in coastal Kenya

Abstract

Understanding mosquito breeding behavior as well as human perspectives and practices are crucial for designing interventions to control Aedes aegypti mosquito-borne diseases as these mosquitoes primarily breed in water-holding containers around people's homes. The objectives of this study were to identify productive mosquito breeding habitats in coastal Kenya and to understand household mosquito management behaviors and their behavioral determinants. The field team conducted entomological surveys in 444 households and semi-structured interviews with 35 female caregivers and 37 children in Kwale County, coastal Kenya, between May and December 2016. All potential mosquito habitats with or without water were located, abundances of mosquito immatures measured and their characteristics recorded. Interviews explored household mosquito management behaviors and their behavioral determinants. 2,452 container mosquito habitats were counted containing 1,077 larvae and 390 pupae, predominantly Aedes species. More than one-third of the positive containers were found outside houses in 1 of the 10 villages. Containers holding water with no intended purpose contained 55.2% of all immature mosquitoes. Containers filled with rainwater held 95.8% of all immature mosquitoes. Interviews indicated that households prioritize sleeping under bednets as a primary protection against mosquito-borne disease because of concern about night-time biting, malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes. Respondents had limited knowledge about the mosquito life cycle, especially with respect to daytime biting, container-breeding Aedes mosquitoes. Therefore, respondents did not prioritize source reduction. Most mosquitoes breed in containers that have no direct or immediate purpose ("no-purpose containers"). These containers may be left unattended for several days allowing rainwater to collect, and creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. An

Determinants of Aedes mosquito density as an indicator of arbovirus transmission risk in three sites affected by co-circulation of globally spreading arboviruses in Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina

“…On the other hand, humidity, difficulty in obtaining water and weekly waste collection frequency were all significantly associated with larger Aedes density. Efficient water management, such as through the use of a dedicated water storage container [ 47 – 49 ], and frequent waste management, which prevents formation of mosquito breeding sites [ 24 , 50 ], are typically associated with better mosquito control.…”

Designing Effective <em>Wolbachia</em> Release Programs for Mosquito and Arbovirus Control

“…Wolbachia releases are best used in conjunction with existing vector control measures and are not intended to replace them (Ritchie and Johnson, 2017). Source reduction, surveillance and community awareness programs will continue to be effective ways to reduce mosquito-borne disease (Fonseca et al, 2013, Healy et al, 2014, Forsyth et al, 2020 and public awareness programs for Wolbachia releases should continue to emphasize the importance of these measures. Wolbachia releases currently focus on a handful of mosquito species but there is great potential for Wolbachia to control other vectors, pests and diseases (Gong et al, 2020, Mateos et al, 2020, Kamtchum-Tatuene et al, 2016.…”

Determinants of arbovirus vector density as a measure of transmission risk in regions of recent Zika virus introduction in the Americas

“…In contrast to the highest Aedes density being observed in lowest wealth households situated in wealthier neighborhoods, lowest wealth households in poorer neighborhoods displayed the lowest Aedes density. A combination of factors could explain these results: in wealthier neighborhoods, lower household wealth, possibly accompanied with lower arbovirus knowledge, poorer household structure and weaker water and waste management [24,26,27,[39][40][41], are potentially accompanied with unequal mosquito control by municipal authorities, which is usually targeted to neighborhoods with higher disease incidence [42].…”

“…On the other hand, humidity, di culty in obtaining water and weekly waste collection frequency were all signi cantly associated with larger Aedes density. E cient water management, such as a storage dedicated container [40,41,47], and frequent waste management, which prevents formation of mosquito breeding sites [24,48], are typically associated with better mosquito control.…”