Malaria and other vector-borne diseases are a major public health problem in WHO’s South-East Asia Region. Due to increasing resistance to both drugs and pesticides, there is a need to establish integrated vector management strategies.[1]. Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700 000 deaths annually. They can be caused by either parasites, bacteria or viruses. The burden of these diseases is highest in tropical and subtropical areas, and they disproportionately affect the poorest populations.

Since 2014, major outbreaks of dengue, malaria, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika have afflicted populations, claimed lives, and overwhelmed health systems in many countries. Other diseases such as Chikungunya, leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis cause chronic suffering, life-long morbidity, disability and occasional stigmatization.[2]. These vector-borne diseases mainly affect urban, peri-urban and rural communities but are predominantly seen in communities with poor living conditions like lack of access to adequate housing, safe drinking water and sanitation. Malnourished people and those with less immunity are especially vulnerable [3].

The lack of vaccines and other effective prevention for most VBDs and the complexity of the disease life cycles require highly integrated approaches that target the disease transmission system rather than only the pathogens [4]. There is a need to intensify prevention and control efforts, including controlling vectors, diagnosing and treating diseases early (to remove sources of infection available to feeding vectors), vaccinating, improving water and sanitation systems, cooling urban heat islands, and other intervention [5].

Along with the above interventions a crucial element in reducing the burden of vector-borne diseases is behavioural change in the population.[6]. For the behavioral change to occur in the community. Awareness regarding the disease is required among the population. Awareness and strict regulations play a major role in the prevention of vector-borne disease. For the prevention of vector-borne diseases there should be coordination between the health agencies and the community. For the community to involve actively for the prevention of vector-borne disease there should be an appropriate knowledge and perception regarding preventive strategies.

component (Related to Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya and Filariasis)

Statistical analysis: Data entry and management were done in excel. SPSS software 16 version was used for Analysis. Proportions were used for all quantitative data’s. To know the association between socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge and perception. A Chi-square test was applied.

Ethical considerations: Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants.

Ethical clearance: Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of K. S. Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore

Demographic details& Housing, Environmental and Living conditions

In this study around 966 individuals participated. Out of 966 individuals participated. 673(69.7%) were females and 293(30.3%) were males. The mean age of the individuals was 40 years. Demographic details of the study population are elaborated in Table 1. Housing, Environmental and Living conditions of the study population are recorded in Table no. 2

Table 1: Distribution of socio-demographic characteristics

In most 608(62.9%) of the houses stagnation of the water was absent

Knowledge and perception regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne disease

Knowledge regarding preventive strategies was scored. Each correct answer was given a score of 1 and for the wrong answer NO score was given. Based on that a score between 0 and 9 was considered poor or low knowledge and a score more than 10 was considered as good or high knowledge. The perception score was calculated according to the Likert’s scale. Based on the Likert's scale score Perception was divided into Low, Average and Good perception. (Table 3)

Table 3: knowledge regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne disease

Based on the Total scores around 46.5% of them had good knowledge and 53.5% of them had poor knowledge regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne diseases. Concerning Perception Most (42.2%) of them had average perception, 40% of them had high perception and 17.7% of them had a low perception about preventive strategies of vector-borne diseases (Table 6)

Table6: Knowledge and Perception regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne diseases

Association between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, perception regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne disease

On associating. There was no significant difference between knowledge scores for preventive strategies and socio-demographic characteristics.

With respect to Perception Good/ High perception was associated with females (p value 0.05, chi: 15.6), Class II SES (p value < 0.05, chi:14.9) and higher level of education (p value < 0.05, chi:17.2)

Association between Knowledge and perception regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne disease

When Knowledge and perception were associated. Around 68.3% of the people who had high perception had good knowledge regarding the prevention of vector-borne diseases.

In our study population. Around 891(92.3%) of the study population agreed that avoiding mosquito bites is the main factor for prevention. Likewise in a study by Joshi AB et al 42% of them told that avoiding mosquito bites prevents malaria [8]. Around (57.1%) of the study population felt that the use of certain fishes is useful in the prevention of VBDs. In a study by Joshi A B et al. Very few knew about the usage of larvivorous fish in limiting mosquito population [8]. Cleaning weeds and trash items around the house were considered as a measure to reduce mosquito density by (76.1%) of the people similarly in a Study by Joshi AB et al 32 % told that removing bushes in the surroundings reduces VBDs [8]. Use of bed nets, coils and sprays were considered as one of the methods to prevent VBDs by 90.2% of the population and in a study by Joshi AB et al. also around 92% told use of bed nets also protects from mosquito bite [8]. Household measures like burning leaves and coconut shells were considered as a measure to repel mosquitoes by (71.1%) of them. In a study conducted by Joshi AB 12% agreed about creating smoke through household items [8]. Preventing stagnant water was also considered as one of the Methods to prevent VBDs by 887.9% of the population. Similarly in the study conducted by Anand T et al. Cleaning tanks weekly was considered as a measure to reduce mosquito breeding by 815(84.4%) of the people [9].

In the study by Doke P P et al 38% suggested weekly dry days [10]. Around (77.8%) of the population felt that screening of the house will surely prevent them from acquiring VBDs. Whereas In study of Unnikrishnan et al Most of them knew about (45.8%) screening of windows [11]. The role of community was considered important by 791(81.8%) of the population. In the study by Perez et al Most of them agreed that community participation is required to tackle the disease [12]. In the study by Perez et al population expected that government should collaborate and co-operate with the community and also provide public services in the disposal of waste. [12]. In a study conducted by Amul B et al 76.5% mentioned mosquito control was the government’s responsibility [13]. If there was a vaccine available for VBD (77.1%) of them were told that they would vaccinate their child. The integrated effort by the government and the community was considered the best way to combat VBDs by (86.9%) of the population

In item analysis, Education showed a significant difference with good knowledge and perception. Hence, education plays an important in acquiring knowledge. Knowledge and perception had a positive correlation. This means that as perception increases knowledge increases.

To Increase their knowledge regarding preventive strategies many camps and health education activities should conduct on vector-borne diseases and should mainly emphasize community participation to increase their awareness. So that it leads to better practice which in turn will lead to a decrease in vector-borne diseases.

Priyadarisini NJ: Planning and conduction of the study. Sanjeev Badiger: Co-investigator, Guidance and supervision throughout the study period. Dr. D Keerthana: Data Analysis and Paper Writing. Dr. Subasree NJ: Data Analysis and Paper writing