Abstract
Background For centuries vector-borne diseases (malaria and yellow fever, etc.) infection remains a public health burden globally including the Bono Region, Ghana. The primary aim of this study was to survey mosquito (Anopheles, Culex and Aedes species) breeding sites (habitats) within the Sunyani East Municipality, Bono Region of Ghana.
Methods Survey of mosquito breeding sites along with sampling of mosquito larva (Anopheles, Culex and Aedes) was carried out within the Sunyani East Municipality through a simple random sampling technique between December 2019 and February 2020, by inspection of habitats for the presence of mosquito larvae visually through the dipping method between 8:00am-11:59am and 12:00pm-5:00pm daily. Anopheles, Culex and Aedes mosquito species breeding sites were diagnosed following a guideline provided by Service, 1993 and the mosquitoes larva collected were morphologically diagnosed to the genera level in accordance with the taxonomic keys of Knight and Stone, 1977.
Results Anopheles mosquito larvae were found at natural wetlands (swampy/marshy areas) (64%) occupied by residents, followed by natural drains with partially clean water (19%), and burst and leaking water distribution pipelines (17%). Out of the total positive (mosquito larvae found) mosquito breeding sites, 31% (n= 174) were identified to be Anopheles, 58% (n=320) were Culexand 11% (n=61), were Aedes mosquitoes breeding sites (habitats). Further, out of the 1,555 mosquito larvae sampled at various instars during the study, majority 53% were Culex, 32% were Anopheleswhile 15% were Aedes, which is likely to impact on malaria, yellow fever and other vector-borne diseases prevalence in the study area.
Conclusion Anopheles mosquitoes breeding sites during the dry season around December and February in the Sunyani East Municipality were predominantly naturally induced whereas Culex and Aedes breeding site were anthropogenic (man-made) based due to poor solid and liquid waste management as a result of lack of the enforcement of the environmental sanitation and local by-laws by Environmental Health Officers. Residents of the area require extensive education on health risk associated with the production of mosquitoes breeding sites. Larval source management such as removal and elimination of breeding sites and application of larvicides during dry season (December and March yearly) should be considered as an essential aspect of mosquito control programmes in the study area by residents and various responsible stakeholders.