~ 53 ~ International Journal of Mosquito Research 2015; 2 (1): 53-59 ISSN: 2348-5906 CODEN: IJMRK2 IJMR 2015; 2 (1): 53-59 © 2015 IJMR Received: 08-01-2015 Accepted: 16-02-2015 Nitin Joseph Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India. Maria Nelliyanil Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, India. Shashidhar M Kotian Selection Grade Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India. Mohammed Omar MBBS student, Kasturba Medical College, Light House Hill Road, Manipal University, Mangalore, India. R. Srikanth Aswin MBBS student, Kasturba Medical College, Light House Hill Road, Manipal University, Mangalore, India. Saiteja Donkena MBBS student, Kasturba Medical College, Light House Hill Road, Manipal University, Mangalore, India. Smita Jugnu MBBS student, Kasturba Medical College, Light House Hill Road, Manipal University, Mangalore, India Panam Chabra MBBS student, Kasturba Medical College, Light House Hill Road, Manipal University, Mangalore, India. For Correspondence: Nitin Joseph Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India. Awareness, practices and expenditure towards mosquito bite prevention methods in urban and semi-urban areas of South India Nitin Joseph, Maria Nelliyanil, Shashidhar M Kotian, Mohammed Omar, R. Srikanth Aswin, Saiteja Donkena, Smita Jugnu, Panam Chabra Abstract The present study was done to find out awareness, practices and expenditure towards mosquito bite prevention methods. Data was collected by interviewing any adult per household. Out of 150 participants, 136 (90.7%) were aware that mosquitoes transmit diseases. Fourteen (9.3%) were not aware of any potential breeding sources. Only 96 (64%) households used integrated vector control methods. Median cost on permanent mosquito bite prevention methods was more in urban (p=0.011) while the percentage of total family income spent on temporary prevention methods was more in semi urban areas (p<0.001) and among low socio economic families (p<0.001). Breeding sites for mosquitoes like open wells (p=0.026) and open drains (p<0.001) was seen more in semi urban areas. Spraying operations was poor in households of semi urban areas (p=0.02). Awareness and practices of mosquito control methods needs further improvement in the settings. Provision of ITNs by government will reduce cost on temporary methods. Keywords: Awareness, mosquito bite prevention methods, breeding sites, expenditure, semi urban areas, urban areas. 1. Introduction India contributes to about two-third of the malaria incidence in South-east Asian region. Fortunately by the large scale containment measures under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme its incidence has shown a continued decline by 28% from 2000 to 2010 and the annual parasite incidence has reduced to 1.0 in 2011 [1] . Karnataka state situated in south India has an ideal environment which facilitates prolific growth of mosquitoes and transmission of malaria by virtue of its vast semi-urban areas, rich irrigated lands and good monsoon every year [2] . The most malaria endemic city in this state is Mangalore with an Annual Parasite Incidence above five. The South Canara district contributes to about 70% of malaria cases reported in this state of which Mangalore alone contributes to an astonishing 55% cases [3] . In the months between January and July 2014 in the city corporation limits as many as 4,000 confirmed cases of malaria have been reported [4] . When compared to the last year‘s statistics during the same time period, the current year has witnessed a substantial increase in 2 to 3% malaria cases. This is in contrary to national figures which shows a continued decline. The likely explanation to this scenario has been postulated to be a rapid urbanization in the form of multiplication of industrial and residential sites witnessed in Mangalore over recent years. As a consequence, there has also been a concentration of migrant families and labour population at the construction sites which has also contributed to increase in transmission of malaria in the city [4] . In spite of several thousands of free insecticide treated nets being distributed in the city by Mangalore City Corporation and a penalty imposed on the people who create breeding grounds for mosquitoes there has been so far no containment of malaria cases in Mangalore [5] . WHO with all associated countries including India is planning to eliminate malaria and other diseases by 2015 by implementing millennium development goals. Therefore, it is imperative for researchers to address the reasons behind high malaria endemicity in Mangalore and to suggest suitable and immediate corrective measures. To achieve best results in malaria control, it is obvious that active community participation is necessary for organized vector control strategies. Community participation in turn depends on