title: Distribution, description, and local knowledge of larval habitats of Anopheles gambiae s.l. in a village in western Kenya.
abstract: A sampling census revealed 104 aquatic habitats of 6 types for Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae in a village in western Kenya, namely burrow pits, drainage channels, livestock hoof prints, rain pools, tire tracks, and pools in streambeds. Most habitats were created by human activity and were highly clustered in dispersion pattern within the village landscape. Landscape analysis revealed that six of forty-seven 0.09 km(2) cells superimposed over the village harbored 65% of all habitats. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with villagers revealed the extent of knowledge of the village residents of larval habitats, mosquito sources in the local environment, and what might be done to prevent mosquito breeding. Participants did not associate specific habitats with anopheline larvae, expressed reluctance to eliminate habitats because they were sources of domestic water supply, but indicated willingness to participate in a source reduction program if support were available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. fmutuku@kisian.mimcom.net
authors.forename: Francis M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mutuku
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alaii
authors.forename: M Nabie
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Bayoh
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gimnig
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vulule
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Ephantus
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kabiru
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hawley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009032:Mosquito Control; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012424:Rural Population