DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2015.v02i04.011

Pages: 324-327

Malaria can kill by infecting and destroying red blood cell (anaemia) and by clogging the capillaries that carry blood to the brain (cerebral malaria) or other vital organs. The real cause of malaria, a one-cell parasite called Plasmodium that is transmitted from person to person through the bite of a female Anopheles Mosquito. Different types of methods were adopted by people to repel mosquitoes from biting them. The study focused on mosquito prevention methods adopted by rural households in Rivers State. It was carried out in Ahoada- East and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from 200 households from ten communities. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that majority (57%) were male, married (50%), were between the ages of 30 and 40 (70%) years and had secondary school certificate (39%).The mosquito preventing materials available in the study area include: insecticides treated nets and local insecticides drops. The methods adopted by rural households to prevent mosquito bites are use of insecticides treated nets (m=2.76); use of local mosquito drops (m=2.86) and use of wrapper to cover when sleeping (m=2.52).