Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Environmental Risk Perception Related to Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Montserrado County, Liberia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Joeline T. Gorlortor1, Letha Gonyon2, Teiko Gaidya3, Williametta Gedegar4, Prince L. Fully5, Neima Candy6
1Joeline T. Gorlortor, Student, Department of School of Public Health, University of Liberia (Monrovia), Liberia.
2Letha Gonyon, Student, Department of School of Public Health, University of Liberia (Monrovia), Liberia.
3Teiko Gaidya, Student, Department of School of Public Health, University of Liberia (Monrovia), Liberia.
4Williametta Gedegar, Department of School of Public Health, University of Liberia (Monrovia), Liberia.
5Prince L. Fully, Department of School of Public Health, University of Liberia (Monrovia), Liberia.
6Neima Candy, Department of School of Public Health, University of Liberia (Monrovia), Liberia.
Manuscript received on 03 March 2026 | First Revised Manuscript received on 14 March 2026 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 26 April 2026 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 May 2026 | Manuscript published on 30 May 2026 | PP: 18-25 | Volume-6 Issue-4 May 2026 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijpmh.C114606030326 | DOI: 10.54105/ijpmh.C1146.06040526
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© The Authors. Published by Lattice Science Publication (LSP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Background: Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) pose a significant public health risk in Liberia. While malaria remains endemic, emerging arboviruses offer an increasing danger. This study examined community-level knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and perceptions of environmental risk regarding MBD in Montserrado County, Liberia. Method: A community-based crosssectional survey of 384 adults from seven distinct socioeconomic categories was conducted in Montserrado County. Data were collected using a validated and pretested questionnaire and analysed in R (version 4.3.0). The independent predictors of health-promoting activities were identified using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA for group comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: The data found that malaria awareness was high (98.2%), but dengue (24.7%) and chikungunya (12.0%) had significant knowledge gaps. The mean knowledge score was 12.66 ± 3.12 (maximum 20), whereas the mean practice score was 6.53 ± 1.60. Higher education levels were significantly associated with higher knowledge scores (F = 168.93, p < 0.001) but not with yellow fever vaccination status (χ² = 4.57, p = 0.335). There was a substantial positive correlation between knowledge and practice scores. Despite high awareness of environmental risks (36.05 ± 5.56), implementing consistent preventive measures was challenging due to structural constraints. Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant “knowledge-practice gap,” with a special focus on non-malarial arboviruses. Malaria-centric paradigms should be replaced with Integrated Vector Management (IVM). Policymakers in West Africa must address the structural and environmental risk factors of MBD to enable long-term community-based prevention.
Keywords: Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Liberia, Risk perception, Public Health, Vector Control, Community Health, West Africa.
Scope of the Article: Public Health