Knowledge, awareness, practice and preventive method against mosquito borne diseases in Tezpur, Assam, Northeast India

Abstract

The current investigation was conducted in the Tezpur town of Sonitpur district, Assam, India, to determine the level of people's knowledge and awareness regarding various issues related to mosquito-borne diseases, such as the timing of mosquito bites, mosquito breeding grounds, diseases spread by mosquito bites, prevention methods, and so on. The study underlines the importance of these elements in designing effective long-term strategies to encourage residents to take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases. A total of 470 households were chosen for the study using systematic random sampling. The current study found that mosquito bites were more likely to occur at night (420/470) and in the evening (6–8 pm; 342/470). Standing stagnant water was identified as a mosquito breeding site by 67.87% of respondents, followed by contaminated or dirty water (64.25%). Approximately 10.42% of respondents were unaware of mosquito breeding places, and only 4.68% were aware that mosquitoes reproduce in clean water. The current study revealed that the use of a bed net against mosquito bites is the most preferred strategy (91.42%). Active participation of community volunteers and members of self-help groups is required to promote community awareness about the dangers of mosquito bites in Tezpur.