Online ISSN: 2515-8260

“Children as change agents of knowledge and practice of parents in prevention of Mosquitoborne diseases: A pilot study”

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Renita Priya Dsouza, Dr. Devina E Rodrigues, Dr. Prakash M Saldanha, Renita Priya Dsouza

Abstract

Mosquitoes even though small in size are the deadliest insects causing millions of deaths every year. Mosquitoes are able to spread variety of diseases, among which common are Malaria, Dengue, ChikunGunya etc.1 More than 3000 different species of mosquitoes are identified in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, but only a few are known to act as vectors of diseases to the human beings.2 Aedes Egypti is responsible for many of the mosquito-borne diseases and this species exist in the areas where more than 50% of world’s population lives. Despite the intensive efforts to prevent and control in the past decades, Malaria remains a significant public health concern in India. Malaria and Dengue fever continue to be a serious health problem in many of the countries. In recent years a number of countries report their first outbreak of mosquito-Borne Diseases (MBD). The morbidity and mortality rates and epidemic outbreaks of MBD indicate that the problem is really serious in India and needs attention from ground level itself. 3 Transmission of MBD depends on factors such as climate, sleeping habits of susceptible people, prevalence and density of mosquitoes, practices of people, etc.4 A few years back almost 50% of world’s population was at risk with 91 countries and areas having ongoing Malaria transmission.5 South East Asia reported with 6.7 million cases of Malaria in 2019.Most of theIndian states and Union territories are endemic for Malaria and Dengue and have witnessed multiple outbreaks of these diseases.6 Even though the number of Dengue cases reduced in India, the disease is spreading to newer geographic area and claims many lives.

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