Epidemio-Entomological Study of Japanese Encephalitis in Bhelukhel, Bode and Tathali of Bhaktapur District

Abstract

The present study, aimed to identify KAP of community members in relation to JE and its vector abundance in Tathali, Bode and Bhelukhel of Bhaktapur district was conducted during July 2012 to December 2012. KAP study was conducted through structured questionnaire among the 300 respondents of the study area in order to determine the current state of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the people regarding JE prevention and an entomological study was carried out to study species composition, vector abundance and seasonal prevalence of mosquitoes by means of dark activated recharge able CDC light trap.The mean age of the participants was 31, 32 and 31 years with a standard deviation of 1.43,1.15 and 1.30 in Tathali, Bode and Bhelukhel respectively.Radio and Television was the most common source of information within the community. All the respondents who participated in this study had low level of knowledge. The level of knowledge on JE transmission among the respondents of Tathali, Bode and Bhelukhel were 89%, 58% and 82% with mean 1.4, 8.1 and 4.23 and S.D.0.54, 0.73 and 0.30 respectively and 52%, 67%and 64% respondents of respective sites had fair level of practice towards JE prevention with mean4.35, 4.67 and 4.23 and S.D.0.67, 0.57 and 0.56. Significant associations were not found in the relationship of JE prevention practices with age, gender, education and level of knowledge and attitude(p>0.005). In an entomological survey,total eleven species of Culexmosquitoes were recorded namely Cx. tritaenio rhynchus, Cx. fuscocephala,Cx. gelidus, Cx. vishnui, Cx. pseudovishnui, , Cx. bitaenio rhynchus Cx. quinque fasciatus, Cx. edwardsi, Cx. hutchnsoni, Cx. whitei and Cx.whit morei. Distribution of Culexspecies was abundant in July and August. Cx. quinque fasciatus was recorded to be the most dominant species in all the three sites. The principal JE vector Cx. tritaenio rhynchus was collected in higher number during August from Tathali and Bode site and during July from Bhelukhel site. Thus can be assumed the higher possibility of JE transmission in July and August.No significant variation was observed in vector abundance in three study sites in six different months. The results of this study showed the importance of public awareness programs in order to increase the knowledge level towards JE.