On October 29, 2009, Susan Imbahale will defend her thesis in the Aula of Wageningen University at 11:00 hrs. Susan wrote her thesis on the subject of 'Environment, malaria and mosquito control – Integrated management of malaria mosquito larvae in different settings of western Kenya'.
Abstract
Malaria is a complex disease and its transmission is a function of the interaction between the Anopheles mosquito vector, the Plasmodium parasite, the hosts and the environment. Malaria control has mainly targeted the Plasmodium parasite or the adult anopheline mosquitoes. However, development of resistant parasites and mosquito vectors requires the development of other strategies, such as larval control, which can be integrated in the current control programmes. This thesis describes the results of a study on mosquito ecology, with an emphasis on malaria vectors in different agricultural settings within two highland sites (Fort Ternan and Lunyerere) and a peri-urban area (Nyalenda) in western Kenya, and the development of practical and effective mosquito larval control strategies. To provide information about the ecology of local vectors, a longitudinal two-year study on the population dynamics and breeding characteristics of local mosquito species and malaria prevalence was undertaken in the respective study sites. In addition, community perception and knowledge on malaria, causes of malaria and the control of mosquito vectors were established through a questionnaire. This information allowed for the development of small-scale mosquito larval control strategies combining source reduction, environmental manipulation through provision of shade and biological control using predatory fish (Gambusia affinis) and application of the bio-larvicide, Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti). An integrated approach using various larval control strategies that are locally available, can easily be adopted by the communities concerned. Community involvement in disease control will lead to knowledge on how the peoples’ activities affect their health and this can empower them to take charge of their health.