TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge, practices and perceptions of communities during a malaria larviciding randomized trial in the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon
AU - Ngadjeu, Carmène Sandra
AU - Talipouo, Abdou
AU - Kekeunou, Sévilor
AU - Doumbe Belisse, Patricia
AU - Ngangue-Siewe, Idriss Nasser
AU - Djamouko-Djonkam, Landre
AU - Kopya, Edmond
AU - Bamou, Roland
AU - Sonhafouo-Chiana, Nadège
AU - Nkahe, Leslie
AU - Njuabe, Metoh Theresia
AU - Awono-Ambene, Parfait
AU - Wondji, Charles
AU - Antonio-Nkondjio, Christophe
PY - 2022/11/3
Y1 - 2022/11/3
N2 - BackgroundUrban malaria is becoming a major public health concern in major cities in Cameroon. To improve malaria vector control, a pilot larviciding trial was conducted to assess its impact on mosquito density and malaria transmission intensity in Yaoundé. The present study investigated perceptions and practices of communities on malaria control during the larviciding trial implemented in Yaoundé.MethodsQuantitative and qualitative data were collected in non-intervention and intervention areas. Quantitative data were collected during three cross-sectional surveys using a structured pre-tested questionnaire while qualitative data were obtained through interviews. A total of 26 in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions with community members were performed. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the perception of the community on larviciding impact on some malaria or bed nets use indicators.ResultsPeople living in intervention areas were 2.64 times more likely to know the mode of malaria transmission (95% CI: 1.82–3.84; p<0.001) and 1.3 time more likely to know mosquito breeding habitats (95% CI: 1.06–1.56; p = 0.009) compared to those living in non-intervention areas. In intervention areas, interviewee opinions on larviciding were generally good i.e. most interviewees reported having noticed a reduction in mosquito nuisance and malaria cases following larviciding implementation; whereas in non-intervention areas no report of reduction of mosquito nuisance was recorded. LLINs were regularly used by the population despite the implementation of larviciding treatments. There was high interest in larviciding program and demand for continuation, even if this needs the community involvement.ConclusionThe larviciding program in the city of Yaoundé did not negatively affected community members’ behaviour and practices concerning the use of treated nets. The study indicated the acceptance of larviciding program by the population. This positive environment could favour the implementation of future antilarval control activities in the city of Yaoundé.
AB - BackgroundUrban malaria is becoming a major public health concern in major cities in Cameroon. To improve malaria vector control, a pilot larviciding trial was conducted to assess its impact on mosquito density and malaria transmission intensity in Yaoundé. The present study investigated perceptions and practices of communities on malaria control during the larviciding trial implemented in Yaoundé.MethodsQuantitative and qualitative data were collected in non-intervention and intervention areas. Quantitative data were collected during three cross-sectional surveys using a structured pre-tested questionnaire while qualitative data were obtained through interviews. A total of 26 in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions with community members were performed. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the perception of the community on larviciding impact on some malaria or bed nets use indicators.ResultsPeople living in intervention areas were 2.64 times more likely to know the mode of malaria transmission (95% CI: 1.82–3.84; p<0.001) and 1.3 time more likely to know mosquito breeding habitats (95% CI: 1.06–1.56; p = 0.009) compared to those living in non-intervention areas. In intervention areas, interviewee opinions on larviciding were generally good i.e. most interviewees reported having noticed a reduction in mosquito nuisance and malaria cases following larviciding implementation; whereas in non-intervention areas no report of reduction of mosquito nuisance was recorded. LLINs were regularly used by the population despite the implementation of larviciding treatments. There was high interest in larviciding program and demand for continuation, even if this needs the community involvement.ConclusionThe larviciding program in the city of Yaoundé did not negatively affected community members’ behaviour and practices concerning the use of treated nets. The study indicated the acceptance of larviciding program by the population. This positive environment could favour the implementation of future antilarval control activities in the city of Yaoundé.
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0276500
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0276500
M3 - Article
VL - 17
SP - e0276500
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 11 November
M1 - e0276500
ER -
