POPULATION PERCEPTION REGARDING BARRIERS FOR MALARIA VECTOR CONTROL IN HYDERABAD CITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major public health concern in many low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan, where climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions favor its transmission. Despite ongoing control programs, community-level barriers such as poor sanitation, inadequate preventive practices, and limited awareness continue to challenge effective malaria prevention. Understanding population awareness and perceptions of these barriers is essential to design sustainable and targeted control interventions.

Objective: This study aimed to assess community awareness and knowledge of malaria infection and preventive measures and to identify the major barriers hindering effective vector control in Hyderabad city, Pakistan.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Hyderabad city, encompassing the talukas of Hyderabad, Latifabad, and Qasimabad between June and November 2024. Using cluster random sampling, 422 adult residents living in the city for more than two years were enrolled. Thirty union councils were selected as clusters, and fifteen households were randomly chosen from each. Data were collected through a structured, pretested questionnaire assessing demographic details, malaria-related knowledge, and perceived barriers to vector control. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, applying descriptive and inferential statistics, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results: Of the 422 participants, 263 (62.3%) were female, and the mean age was 35.4 ± 12.3 years. Awareness of malaria infection was reported by 300 (71.0%) respondents, while 250 (59.3%) had knowledge of preventive measures, and 280 (66.4%) were aware of vector control methods. The leading perceived barriers to malaria vector control were poor waste management (47.4%), insufficient government intervention (42.6%), lack of awareness about prevention (35.5%), inadequate infrastructure (31.8%), limited clean water (29.4%), inadequate mosquito nets (28.4%), and economic barriers (23.7%).

Conclusion: The study revealed moderate community awareness of malaria and its prevention, yet significant environmental and structural barriers persist. Strengthening waste management, improving government-led interventions, and enhancing community education are essential for effective malaria vector control in the region.