Background of the study
Mosquitoes are extremely important to man's health and economic progress. Both human and animal illnesses are transmitted and spread by them (Gouge, 2012). Mosquitoes are the most significant arthropods for public health and veterinary purposes because they transfer illnesses including malaria, yellow fever, filariasis, dengue fever, encephalitis, and other viral and bacterial infections (Gillet, 1972; Service 1980). Mosquitoes are considered public enemies because of their biting inconvenience, noise disturbance, insomnia, and allergic responses caused by their bites, in addition to disease transmission (Onyido et al., 2009a). Malaria spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes still affects over 200 million people and kills up to 800,000 people globally, according to the World Malaria Report (WHO, 2010), with SubSaharan Africa accounting for over 90% of deaths. Malaria is extremely endemic in Nigeria, with more than 90% of the population at risk of stable transmission (FMOH, 2010, Aribodor, 2009). At least half of the population contracts malaria at least once a year. Malaria kills an estimated 300,000 children each year, while malaria is responsible for 11% of maternal mortality among pregnant women. Malaria is also responsible for 25% of newborn mortality and 30% of childhood death, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH, 2010). The condition is also a significant financial burden. Malaria costs the Nigerian economy over 132 billion Naira per year in terms of treatment, prevention, and lost employment. The high prevalence of school absence among students is also due to this mosquito-borne sickness. Despite massive investments and efforts to manage the illness for over a century, these obstacles persist. Lymphatic filariasis, which is spread by several mosquito species such as Anopheles, Mansonia, Culex, and Aedes, affects 120 million people, with 40 million suffering from visible illness and 80 million suffering from hidden harm (Ottesen, 2006). In tropical Africa and America, yellow fever is still one of the most disabling illnesses. The illness, which is prevalent in most regions of Nigeria, is characterized by deadly epidemics (which occur in cycles) that wreak havoc on people's lives and the economy (Monath, 1985; Tomori et al., 1991) Many types of life, including mosquito larvae, require water to survive. Mosquitoes breed in a variety of stagnant water sources. Mosquito larvae develop in these different settings and mature into adult mosquitoes that spread illnesses to humans and cattle. Adult mosquitos have a clear preference for the sorts of water sources where they lay their eggs (Curtis et al, 2003). Each species has its own set of environmental needs, which may be figured out by looking at larval habitats (Okogun et al., 2003). Mosquito habitat types may be roughly divided into Open Habitat and Closed Habitat, according to The Urban Malaria Control Program of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (TUMCP, 2005). Water bodies that are exposed to the open air and light are known as open habitats. This implies that light may reach the water's surface in the Open Habitat, and plants can thrive within. These variables have an impact on mosquito breeding.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Mosquitoes reproduce in a variety of aquatic media that are naturally occurring or created by human activities, which makes efficient and long-term management of mosquitoes and the diseases they spread difficult (Gouge, 2012). There are differences in mosquito ecology within and across nations, which is an important aspect of the epidemiology of mosquito-borne illnesses (Boakye et al, 2009). It is widely acknowledged that a thorough grasp of mosquito ecology is a prerequisite for efficient mosquito-borne illness management. Tropical countries, such as Nigeria, offer the ideal mix of enough rainfall, temperature, and humidity, allowing diverse mosquito species to grow and survive. A mosquito larval survey can be used to predict the probability of mosquito-borne illness transmission in a specific location (Curtis et al, 2003). This is due to species specific preferences for certain nesting places, which led to the establishment of species sanitation programs in endemic portions of the world in the early twentieth century, which were typically quite successful in controlling various mosquito-borne diseases (Takken et al., 1991; Bradley, 1994). The adoption of a larval control technique is regarded an effective form of mosquito control, and the kind of habitat must be addressed for the campaign to be successful. Following that, the most productive ecosystem should be given first consideration. Larval mosquito surveys are conducted to determine the distribution of the aquatic stages of various disease-carrying mosquitoes in a specific population (Curtis et al, 2003). A long-term collection of baseline data on mosquito larval habitats will influence vector control activities, resulting in improved public health. Such issues as what types of mosquitoes should be targeted in mosquito control operations, when, where, and how to target them may be adequately answered after a complete larval survey, therefore this study was undertaken in an attempt to answer these concerns.
1.3 Objective of the study
This study therefore aims at investigating the open larval habitats of mosquitoes in Awka South Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, Nigeria. The specific objectives include;
1. To identify mosquito breeding habitats in the study area.
2. To identify the species of mosquitoes breeding in these larval habitats in the three selected communities in the study area.
3. To determine the preferred larval habitats for the species of mosquitoes.
4. To determine the seasonal variation of mosquito larvae in the study area.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
HO: There is no significant difference in identified larval habitats and among species of mosquitoes in various larval habitats in the wet season
HI: There is a significant difference in identified larval habitats and among species of mosquitoes in various larval habitats in the wet season HO: There is no significant difference in larval distribution in wet and dry seasons.
HI: There is A significant difference in larval distribution in wet and dry seasons.
1.5 Significance of the study
Breeding sites of mosquitoes seem to persist in riverine communities. This is because of the presence of water required for egg laying in the lifecycle of mosquitoes and this could be provided all seasons in riverine communities. The result of this study on Larva survey will be relevant to inform vector control operations, researcher thus improving public health. More so, the study will contribute empirically to the body of existing knowledge as serve as reference material to student ans scholars who wishes to conduct further studies in related field.
1.6 Scope of the study
The scope of this study borders on a Survey Of Open Larval Habitats Of Mosquitoes. Although mosquitoes seems to persist in rural communities due to the presence of water required for egg laying, It then means that different mosquito species are likely to be found there; which may pose serious risk of mosquito borne diseases. However, there is no information on the mosquito fauna and mosquito borne diseases present in some riverine areas of South Eastern Nigerian. This is the reason why the study will be delimited to wka, Isiagu, Nibo and Umuawulu communities in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
1.7 Limitation of the study
In the course of conducting this research work it is expected that the following will constitute impediments to the effective conduct of the study such as Time constraint within which the study must be completed, Financial constraint, Inaccessible and inadequate data and also, combining project work with several other activities is another stressful task that may not allow me to cover research materials extensively. Nevertheless, it is believed that the above limitations will in no way affect the reliability and validity of the research study.
ABSTRACT: THE EFFECT OF DATA ANALYTICS ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
The objectives of this study are to: 1) Investigate how data analyt...
ABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to develop an excipient consisting of cow bone powder and gelatin by the co-processing method and...
ABSTRACT
The subject of this research investigation is “The Role of Internal Auditor and the method of Internal Co...
ABSTRACT
The study was designed to investigate the effect of unemployment on economics growth in Nigeria for a period of 31 years (1980-2...
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
This study will be concerned with the problems posed by poor hostel accommodation, as it affects the quali...
ABSTRACT: The role of early childhood education in developing spatial skil...
Abstract
In the face of capital deficiency in financing long term development, the capital-deficient economies have...
Abstract: This study explores the impact of adult education on career transition, focusing on how continuing education programs facilitate the...
ABSTRACT: THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC POLICIES ON THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
The primary obje...
ABSTRACT
The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses of 50 timbers of Nigeria were carried out. The physicchemical properties...