The ‘disconnect’: Public and professional perceptions on mosquito management and vector-borne diseases

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health problem to the health of individuals and to public health bodies causing a significant burden on the economy. Public knowledge, awareness and perceptions of vector-borne diseases and mosquito control are important determinants for reducing disease and establishing effective public health policies. Studies into community education and involvement in mosquito-borne disease have highlighted the importance of community and holistic based approaches to vector-control. Rarely are these interactions of community perceptions and understanding of mosquito-borne diseases studied in developed nations, perhaps owing to their often stringent mosquito control programs. In spite of this, mosquito-borne diseases still plague many developed nations at a great health cost. In this study, we aim to disentangle the knowledge and perception gaps between public and health professionals in mosquito-borne diseases in Mandurah, Western Australia focusing on the Ross River virus.The findings may contribute to new innovations in reducing the economic/health cost of mosquito-borne diseases, but also a larger community survey with a focus to increasing awareness and education of local residents and improved communication among different levels of the public health body. Ultimately bolstering current strategies to reduce risk of disease from mosquito in high risk areas.