Public perception towards prevention and control strategies to counter dengue infection in Malaysia

In Malaysia, vector control method which include source reduction, environmental management, and larviciding with use of chemicals insecticide. This study aimed to determine the perception of the Malaysian public towards control measures of mosquitoes and utilization of biocontrol. A total of 402 responded to questionnaire during the survey activities in Selangor and Putrajaya, Malaysia. Questionnaires for respondents were divided into three sections comprised; i) respondent profile ii) knowledge about prevention of Dengue Fever and insecticide use for mosquito control iii) knowledge about biological control. Most of them reported (83%) concerned that fogging activities may affect their health and (56%) agreed that fogging activities may affect the environment. Public reported fogging (29.2%) method was most frequent method in control of mosquito population. Other control measures reported were the use of ABATE (mosquito larvae insecticide) with (28.9%) and the use of biocontrol; guppy fish were scored (15.5%). The most obvious effect of insecticide reported was negative effect to the environment, the use of insecticide will kill other non target organisms besides mosquitoes; and the use of insecticides is very costly. perception more than half (56%) knew about bioeffective as method to control mosquito population. In their opinion, the biological method is safe for human health. Based on the majority responded that guppy as the effective biocontrol agent other than other biological agents. the perception of control measures of mosquitoes is important for a successful community program or implemention of new control measures.