A knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP study) was carried out in a rural area in Tamilnadu state of India to ascertain the level of knowledge and the perceived risk by the community of mosquitoborne infectious diseases.
A cross sectional survey was conducted among the consenting residents of rural areas registered under department of community medicine attending out-patient department at rural health centre, sembakkam.
More than 94% of the people interviewed perceived mosquitoes as a problem. Malaria was known as the main disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Regarding breeding sites, a significant number of people had no knowledge about the breeding sites of mosquitoes. Those who were aware mentioned open drains and stagnant water in the paddy field as the main breeding sites. More than one third of the interviewees did not know of any preventive measures against mosquitoes at the household and community level.
Mass media is an important means of conveying health messages to the public even among the rural population, thus approaches based on social mobilization and communication aimed at bringing behaviour change in the communities are stressed.
mosquitoes, perceived risk, paddy fields, KAP
