Attitudinal exposure to mosquito bites in two rural suburb communities of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Presence of infected mosquitoes coupled with poor mosquito avoidance practice of community people have made them predisposed to Mosquito-borne diseases. Attitude and practice that could expose people to mosquito bites were investigated among some volunteer members of two rural suburb communities (Ilokun and Irasa) in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. A cross sectional community-based study using questionnaires administration was used to obtain information from respondents and adult mosquitoes were also collected outdoors using light traps in both communities. Data collected were analysed with SPSS version 20 and probability value (p-value) was regarded as significant at p < 0.05 for inferential statistics. Four hundred respondents participated in the study, 219 (54.8%) were males while 181 (45.3%) were females. Only three respondents knew mosquitoes could transmit zika virus. Majority of the respondents, 374 (93.5%) associated mosquito bites with malaria. Majority, 281 (71.2%) claimed to sleep under bed nets, few of their houses, 126 (31.4%) had window screened nets, 88 (22.0%) used mosquito repellent and 154 (38.6%) stayed outdoors at dusk. No significant difference (p > 0.05) existed in the mosquito avoidance practice among respondents from both communities. Five hundred and thirteen (513) mosquitoes were collected from both communities. Culex, 256 (49.9%), Anopheles, 205 (40.0%) and Aedes, 52 (10.1%). Mosquitoes collected at Ilokun, 292 (56.9%) was higher than 221 (43.1.3%) collected at Irasa. No significant difference (P = 0.920) existed in the population distribution of the mosquito genera in both communities. Enlightenment about many diseases transmitted by mosquitoes is needed in the study area.