Abstract:
Chikungunya is among the important re-emerging arboviral disease caused by
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus belonging to Togaviridae family. Since the
first outbreak in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1952/53, several outbreaks are constantly
being reported in different parts of the world. So far, there is no commercially available
vaccine or drug effective for Chikungunya management. Vector control is the main
option. This study aimed to determine the Chikungunya knowledge, attitudes and
practices and its transmission indices in Tanga City, north-eastern Tanzania. This crosssectional
study was conducted in Tanga city, involving Nguvumali, Mzingani and Central
wards. In this study, mosquitoes were collected by a Mosquito Magnet Liberty Plus trap
in six selected sites (two sites per ward). Larvae surveys were conducted to randomly
selected households. A questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practices
regarding Chikungunya was administered to heads/members of households where larval
surveys were conducted. Mosquitoes were identified morphologically. Detection of
CHIKV in Aedes aegypti was done using one step reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR). Majority of the respondents (88%) were unaware of Chikungunya
fever and its associated information. A total of 1469 adult mosquitoes were collected and
identified into four species. Aedes aegypti was the most abundant (73.52%). Larvae
survey involved 101 households and out of them 88 water holding containers were
surveyed. The House Index (HI), Container Index (CI) and Breteaux Index (BI) were
40.59%, 60.2% and 52.5% respectively. Female Ae. aegypti were pooled into 44 pools (20
mosquito/pool) for detection of CHIKV and 7 pools were positive for CHIKV. In
conclusion, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are abundant and local transmission of CHIKV is
taking place in Tanga city. The community knowledge and practices as regards to
Chikungunya is low. Further research should be carried out to assess the status of
Chikungunya transmission in human population in Tanga.
