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Background: Vector and malaria parasite's rising resistance against pyrethroid-impregnated bed nets and antimalarial drugs highlight the need for additional control measures. Larviciding against malaria vectors is experiencing a renaissance with the availability of environmentally friendly and target species-specific larvicides. In this study, we analyse the perception and acceptability of spraying surface water collections with the biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis in a single health district in Burkina Faso.Methods: A total of 12 focus group discussions and 12 key informant interviews were performed in 10 rural villages provided with coverage of various larvicide treatments (all breeding sites treated, the most productive breeding sites treated, and untreated control).Results: Respondents' knowledge about the major risk factors for malaria transmission was generally good. Most interviewees stated they performed personal protective measures against vector mosquitoes including the use of bed nets and sometimes mosquito coils and traditional repellents. The acceptance of larviciding in and around the villages was high and the majority of respondents reported a relief in mosquito nuisance and malarial episodes. There was high interest in the project and demand for future continuation.Conclusion: This study showed that larviciding interventions received positive resonance from the population. People showed a willingness to be involved and financially support the program. The positive environment with high acceptance for larviciding programs would facilitate routine implementation. An essential factor for the future success of such programs would be inclusion in regional or national malaria control guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria control is based on early treatment of cases and on vector control. The current measures for malaria vector control in Africa are mainly based on long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and to a much smaller extent on indoor residual spraying (IRS). While bed net use is widely distributed and its role is intensively researched, Bti-based larviciding is a relatively novel tool in Africa. In this study, we analyze the perception and acceptability of Bti-based larval source management under different larviciding scenarios that were performed in a health district in Burkina Faso., Objective: To research people's perception and acceptance regarding biological larviciding interventions against malaria in their communities., Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a total of 634 administered questionnaires. Data were collected in a total of 36 rural villages and in seven town quarters of the semi-urban town of Nouna., Results: Respondents had basic to good knowledge regarding malaria transmission and how to protect oneself against it. More than 90% reported sleeping under a bed net, while other measures such as mosquito coils and insecticides were only used by a minority. The majority of community members reported high perceived reductions in mosquito abundance and the number of malaria episodes. There was a high willingness to contribute financially to larviciding interventions among interviewees., Conclusions: This study showed that biological larviciding interventions are welcomed by the population that they are regarded as an effective and safe means to reduce mosquito abundance and malaria transmission. A routine implementation would, despite low intervention costs, require community ownership and contribution.