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1 December 2016 Mosquito Biology and Mosquito-Borne Disease Awareness Among Island Communities In Malaysia
Aziz Shafie, Muhammad Aidil Roslan, Romano Ngui, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim, Wan Yusoff Wan Sulaiman
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Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases have been increasing at an alarming rate over the past decades. In Malaysia, one finds several important mosquito-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. Mosquito surveillance and control programs are the most effective way of detecting and controlling mosquito-borne diseases, but these programs are less effective without an aware and well-informed general public. In 2014 we used a questionnaire to evaluate the extent of awareness of basic mosquito biology and mosquito-borne diseases in 6 villages, Kampung Masjid, Kampung Teluk Gedung, Kampung Teluk Dalam, Kampung Ujung Kelawai, Kampung Sungai Pinang Besar, and Kampung Sungai Pinang Kechil on Pangkor Island, Malaysia. A total of 1,012 individuals responded to the questionnaire, consisting of 790 Malay (78.1%), 164 Chinese (16.2%), and 58 Indian (5.7%). More than 60% (Malay = 73.7%, Chinese = 64.0%, Indian = 79.3%) of the respondents were familiar with basic mosquito biology and practiced personal protection against mosquito bites, and the association was statistically significant (P = 0.02). However, the majority of the respondents had limited knowledge on mosquito-borne diseases, and this varied significantly among the 3 ethnic groups (P = 0.0001). Our recommendations are to improve and intensify public health education outreach programs to the island residents and to encourage community participation in vector control programs.

Copyright © 2016 by The American Mosquito Control Association, Inc.
Aziz Shafie, Muhammad Aidil Roslan, Romano Ngui, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim, and Wan Yusoff Wan Sulaiman "Mosquito Biology and Mosquito-Borne Disease Awareness Among Island Communities In Malaysia," Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 32(4), 273-281, (1 December 2016). https://doi.org/10.2987/16-6604.1
Published: 1 December 2016
JOURNAL ARTICLE
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KEYWORDS
awareness
island community
knowledge
mosquito-borne diseases
practice
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