Widespread Insecticide Resistance in Outdoor-Resting Anopheles Mosquitoes in Gombe: Implications for Malaria Control

Abstract

Malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. Understanding the susceptibility of these mosquitoes to insecticides is crucial for effective vector control strategies. This study aimed to characterize the habitats favoured by Anopheles mosquitoes and assess their susceptibility to commonly used insecticides in Billiri and Kaltungo Local Government Areas of Nigeria. A comprehensive survey was conducted across various ecological zones within the selected areas to identify and characterize potential mosquito breeding sites. Susceptibility tests were carried out using standard WHO protocols to evaluate the resistance status of Anopheles mosquitoes to insecticides commonly used in vector control programs. Insecticide susceptibility tests indicated varying levels of resistance among anopheles populations to commonly used insecticides, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and rotation of insecticide classes, the findings underscore the urgency of implementing integrated vector management strategies that consider both environmental factors and insecticide resistance profiles to effectively combat malaria transmission in the region. Further investigations incorporating molecular techniques and long-term surveillance are recommended to enhance our understanding and management of Anopheles mosquitoes in these areas. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine the significant differences in the means of insecticides using SPSS 20.