Community knowledge, attitudes, and practices on the use of plants to control mosquitoes: the case of Arjo Gudatu District, East Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Mosquitoes in the genera <italic>Anopheles</italic> and <italic>Aedes</italic> transmit human malaria and several viral diseases, respectively. Insecticide-based mosquito control, most notably indoor residual insecticide spraying and long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net use, has been proven to effectively reduce malaria incidence and prevalence. However, its effectiveness is being threatened due to the resistance of its vectors to insecticides. Furthermore, synthetic insecticides have adverse impacts on the environment, ecological balance, and human health. To address these and the increasing threat of mosquito-transmitted diseases, safe, effective, and locally available control strategies are needed. Objective The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the inhabitants of Arjo Gudatu District on the use of plants to control mosquitoes were assessed. Materials and Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among the residents of Mada Jalala, Karsa Dako, and Lalisa Dimtu kebeles (the lowest level of administrative structure) in Arjo Gudatu District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Households were selected through systematic random sampling and interviewed using a questionnaire developed for this purpose. The data were collected through house-to-house interviews, checked for completeness and consistency, subsequently entered into SPSS version 25, cleaned, and analyzed. Results Among the 398 household representatives who participated in the interviews, 63.5% (253/398) perceived that plants are used to control mosquitoes. Approximately 75% (190/253) used plants to control mosquitoes, and 79% (200/253) had good attitudes toward the plants. Plant smoking was the most commonly cited practice for killing and repelling adult mosquitoes. <italic>Securidaea longes pedunculate</italic> 31/253 (12%) was the most frequently cited plant to have repellent, adulticidal and larvicidal activities, followed by <italic>Echinops sphaerocephalus L</italic> 28/253 (11%) and <italic>Millettia ferruginea (Hochst. ex nees) tender</italic> 9/253(3.5). Conclusion <italic>Millettia ferruginea (Hochst. ex nees) tander</italic>, <italic>Securidaea longe pedunculate</italic>, and <italic>Echinops sphaerocephalus L</italic>. are the plants most commonly used for the control of mosquitoes. The plants were treated with adulticides, larvicides, and repellents in the traditional control of mosquitoes.