Susceptibility and resistance status of malaria vectors in five selected communities of Emohua LGA, Rivers State

Abstract

Malaria is one of the public health problems in many parts of Nigeria. To effectively implement malaria control program, baseline studies of mosquito species abundance and their susceptibility status to insecticides is required. The aim of the study was to determine the susceptibility and resistance status of indoor malaria vectors in five communities of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. Mosquito larvae were collected from different breeding sites and reared in the insectary and identified morphologically. The knockdown effect was recorded every 10 minutes and mortality scored 24 hours after exposure. Data collected were analysed using statistical software (SPSS) version 20.0. Results of the insecticide susceptibility assay showed that there was comparable progressive knockdown as exposure time increased. Mosquito vectors were found to show resistance to Permethrin (0.75%) with 62% mortality, Deltamethrin (0.05%) showed 47% mortality and Lambdacyhalothrin (0.05%) showed 47% mortality while possible resistance in local mosquitoes against Alphacypermethrin (0.75%) with 97% mortality was suspected in the study areas. This study contributed to the understanding of the susceptibility and resistance of local malaria mosquitoes to insecticides. It is therefore suggested that there is a need for collaboration with the farmers before decision on the choice of insecticides to be used in their communities to avoid overuse of a particular insecticide and the repetition of the same in malaria control.