Bionomics, Insecticide Susceptibility Status and Community Perception of Aedes Aegypti in Afar Region, Ethiopia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Abebe Animut | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Esayas Aklilu | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mohammed Seid | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-22T15:01:05Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-22T15:01:05Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: The recent emergence and re-emergence of Aedes-transmitted diseases, such as dengue fever and chikungunya, are public health concerns in Ethiopia, including the Afar Region. Despite the frequent outbreaks of the diseases, control strategies are limited in the country. Due to the absence of licensed vaccines (except yellow fever) against Aedes-borne diseases, control of the Aedes aegypti that transmits the diseases is a priority. A successful Ae. aegypti control strategy, in turn, depends on knowledge of its behavior, insecticide susceptibility status, and vectorial role. Therefore, this research was designed to investigate the bionomics, including the spatial and temporal occurrence and larval/pupal habitat characteristics, adult resting behavior blood meal source, insecticide susceptibility, and viral infection status of Ae. aegypti. In addition, the study also assessed the community awareness about Aedes mosquitoes and associated risks to chikungunya and dengue fever. Methodology: Longitudinal study design was employed to collect adult and immature Aedes species in Awash Sebat, Awash Arba, and Werer towns of Southern Afar Regional State once per month from May 2022 to April 2023. The larvae/pupae were collected and reared to adults and identified by genus and species morphologically. The physical and chemical properties of their habitats were also characterized. Adult mosquitoes were collected using a Prokopack aspirator between 8:00 to 14:00 hrs and 15:00 to 18:00 hrs both indoors and outdoors of the house. The collected mosquitoes were sorted by sex, date of collection, collection places, and abdominal status and identified using standard morphological keys. Blood meal sources and dengue virus and chikungunya virus infection status of Ae. aegypti were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Larvae/pupae of Ae aegypti were collected and reared to test the insecticide susceptibility status of the species. Non-blood-fed, 3-5-day-old females Ae. aegypti were exposed to pyrethroid, carbamate, and organophosphate insecticide impregnated papers in tube tests following WHO standard guidelines. Knockdown rates were noted at 10-minutes interval until one hour. The mortality in Ae. aegypti was recorded 24 hrs after 60 minutes of exposure. A total of 384 respondents participated in the questionnaire survey. In addition, three focus group discussions were held to reinforce the questionnaire survey. Results: A total of 9099 Aedes larvae/pupae were collected, of which 4875 (53.6%) were from Awash Sebat, 2687 (29.5%) from Awash Arba, and 16.9% (1537) from Werer. Water holding tyres harbored the highest number of Aedes larvae/pupae followed by water storage Conclusion: Diverse types of artificial water-holding containers, including tyres, water storage drums, cement tanks, flowerpots, and discarded plastics were positive for Ae. aegypti larvae/pupae. Used tyres located at domestic sites were the most preferred Ae. aegypti larval habitats and adult resting sites in the study towns. Ae. aegypti showed resistance to bendiocarb and propoxur, suspected resistance to alpha-cypermethrin, and susceptible to deltamethrin, permethrin and pirimiphos-methyl. Health professionals, students, and merchants had more knowledge of Aedes’ larval habitats. Respondents aged 29-38 and university-educated respondents were more involved in controlling Aedes mosquito bites. Domestic water-holding containers, which serve as both immature larval habitats and adult resting sites such as used tyres and other potential larval/resting habitats management strategy is recommended in controlling Ae. aegypti abundance and hence prevention of Aedes transmitted diseases. In addition, Aedes mosquito control strategies should also be designed on the basis of the rising knowledge, risk perception, and prevention practices of the community about Aedes mosquitoes and their associated risks towards local chikungunya and dengue fever by targeting people with lower education backgrounds. Key words; Aedes aegypti, Afar Region, Attitude, Chikungunya, Dengue fever, Ethiopia, habitat characteristics, Knowledge, Practice | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8301 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa Universtity | |
| dc.subject | Aedes aegypti | |
| dc.subject | Afar Region | |
| dc.subject | Attitude | |
| dc.subject | Chikungunya | |
| dc.subject | Dengue fever | |
| dc.subject | Ethiopia | |
| dc.subject | habitat characteristics | |
| dc.subject | Knowledge | |
| dc.subject | Practice | |
| dc.title | Bionomics, Insecticide Susceptibility Status and Community Perception of Aedes Aegypti in Afar Region, Ethiopia | |
| dc.type | Thesis |