Community knowledge and acceptance of larviciding for malaria control in a rural district of east-central Tanzania

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 May 14;11(5):5137-54. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110505137.

Abstract

The use of microbial larvicides, a form of larval source management, is a less commonly used malaria control intervention that nonetheless has significant potential as a component of an integrated vector management strategy. We evaluated community acceptability of larviciding in a rural district in east-central Tanzania using data from 962 household surveys, 12 focus group discussions, and 24 in-depth interviews. Most survey respondents trusted in the safety (73.1%) and efficacy of larviciding, both with regards to mosquito control (92.3%) and to reduce malaria infection risk (91.9%). Probing these perceptions using a Likert scale provides a more detailed picture. Focus group participants and key informants were also receptive to larviciding, but stressed the importance of sensitization before its implementation. Overall, 73.4% of survey respondents expressed a willingness to make a nominal household contribution to a larviciding program, a proportion which decreased as the proposed contribution increased. The lower-bound mean willingness to pay is estimated at 2,934 Tanzanian Shillings (approximately US$1.76) per three month period. We present a multivariate probit regression analysis examining factors associated with willingness to pay. Overall, our findings point to a receptive environment in a rural setting in Tanzania for the use of microbial larvicides in malaria control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anopheles / drug effects
  • Anopheles / growth & development
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Malaria / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mosquito Control*
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Rural Population
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tanzania
  • Young Adult