Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to spatial repellent for mosquito control and malaria risk perception in...

While progress has been made in combating the global burden of malaria, Sumba Island, Indonesia, has trailed much of the country and region in reducing malaria infections. The study aimed to investigate local knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to mosquito control and malaria prevention in East Sumba Island, Indonesia. Primary data were collected from a cross-sectional household survey (n = 757) conducted across six subdistricts on East Sumba Island, Indonesia, stratified by urban and rural areas and high and low malaria incidence rates. Separate logistic and multinomial regression analyses examined survey responses on the acceptability of a novel spatial repellent, concern about malaria risk, and engagement in household and/or community mosquito control practices. The analysis considered differences by gender, education level, and socioeconomic position and controlled for respondents' age and subdistrict. Respondents' perceived risk of malaria transmission impacted their willingness to take action against mosquitoes by clearing tall grass and brush and educating others about mosquito control. Men were more willing to participate in all three actions related to clearing tall grass and brush (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.63, 3.60, p-value: < 0.001), as well as educating others about mosquito control (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.45, p-value: 0.002). Older participants (50-59 years old) were more willing to sell and/or deliver mosquito control products in their community (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.00, p-value: 0.04). Study participants with average or above-average assets were more likely to be concerned about malaria transmission in their household over the next three months. Respondents were overwhelmingly interested in adopting a novel spatial repellent. Evidence from household surveys showed that respondents expressed interest in purchasing spatial repellents to combat malaria, demonstrating early buy-in for a novel technique to control mosquitoes. This research also revealed the role of gender in mosquito control and malaria prevention, specifically, willingness to clear tall grass or brush and to participate in mosquito-related education.