A Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Relation to Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Disease in Western Australia

Abstract

On average, more than 1,000 individuals will acquire a mosquito-borne disease in Western Australia (WA) each year. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in relation to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease have not yet been investigated within Australia. A randomized telephone survey of 2,500 households across 12 regions in WA was undertaken between February and May 2014. The aim of the survey was to obtain baseline KAP data surrounding mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in different regions of WA, across a range of age groups and between males and females. The results of this survey indicate that the majority of respondents are aware of the potential for mosquitoes in WA to transmit Ross River virus, while awareness of other endemic mosquito-borne diseases remains limited. Common misconceptions exist in relation to exotic mosquito-borne diseases, with respondents incorrectly identifying malaria and dengue as endemic diseases in WA. The survey also highlighted a range of important issues, such as limited awareness of the potential for backyard breeding in domestic containers, occupational exposure to mosquitoes in regions with a large employment base in the mining and resources sector, increased exposure to mosquitoes as a result of participation in outdoor recreational activities in the north of the State, and reduced awareness of mosquito-borne disease in individuals aged 18–34 years. The results of this study will be used to inform the development of a new communication strategy by the Department of Health, to further raise awareness of mosquito-borne disease in WA. The data will then provide a baseline against which to compare future survey results, facilitating the rigorous evaluation of new communication efforts.

“Looking over the Backyard Fence”: Householders and Mosquito Control

“…Knowledge of mosquito breeding sites among the current study’s respondents also emphasized natural breeding areas like wetlands (67%) and the river foreshore (66%), running counter to Potter et al’s earlier findings [13], who reported that only 33% of state-wide respondents identified wetlands as breeding sites. This points to the local context being a major influence on resident perspectives of factors contributing to mosquito problems, and demonstrates a need to present public health education messages that are tailored to the neighborhood context.…”

“…In contrast, three other infections endemic to Western Australia were poorly identified including MVE (13% of respondents), BFV (11% of respondents), and WNV KUN (0% of respondents). These results are similar to those reported by Potter et al [13], who also found that RRV was well recognized among Western Australian respondents in their State-wide survey, but that there is a limited awareness of other endemic infections.…”

“…Importantly, only 33% of respondents in the current study believed that mosquito breeding occurred in local residential lots, which is similar to Western Australian data from a previous state-wide survey (20.8%) [13]. This suggests a need for public education to raise awareness of the potential for backyard breeding in urban areas of Perth to cause nuisance and to play a role in minimizing disease risk from mosquitoes.…”

“…This is substantially higher than the 25% recorded by Potter et al [13], and may be associated with the close proximity to the Swan River and high nuisance levels of mosquitoes associated with the productive mosquito breeding habitat at nearby Ashfield Flats.…”

“…In what appears to be the only prior behavior-related study undertaken on mosquitoes in the State [13], a phone survey found the householder knowledge of backyard breeding to be limited, with only one-in-five respondents (21%) aware that mosquitoes can breed in backyard containers.…”