Background

Effective preparedness for emerging mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) relies on citizens having good knowledge and taking appropriate preventive measures. We assessed current knowledge, perceptions and practices related to mosquitoes and MBVs among adults in Belgium to guide future health promotion activities.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we conducted an online survey among adults recruited via social media (One Health PACT’s MosquitoWise survey using the Health Belief Model). We included questions on demographic variables;  knowledge;  perceptions, self-efficacy and cues to actions (Likert scales); and  preventive measures. We assigned knowledge levels (low, medium or high depending on number of correct answers) and scores for perceptions, self-efficacy, cues to action and preventive measures.

Results

We included 776 participants (62% females), of which 50% had a medium and 40% a high knowledge level. Participants scored high on questions related to mosquito ecology but lower on MBVs. Only 19% of participants correctly identified mosquitoes among pictures of insects.

Participants perceived the severity of MBVs as high (mean score 6.0/7.0), but their susceptibility to MBVs and mosquitoes lower (4.3/7.0). Participants were most motivated to take preventive measures upon observing mosquitoes in and around the house (cues to action, 5.3/7.0). Participants had limited confidence in finding information on preventive measures and in recognizing and removing breeding sites (self-efficacy, 4.8/7.0). Ninety-seven percent of participants reported implementing at least one preventive measure, mainly to prevent bites (95%).

Conclusions

Together with the recent findings of tiger mosquitoes in Belgium, based on our study results we recommend to improve knowledge about MBVs and awareness about possible transmission in Belgium in the future. Information on recognizing mosquitoes and removing breeding sites should be easy to find.