Which is the anti-larval measure for mosquito control?

Appeared in: WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

Environmental control, also known as source reduction, is a fundamental anti-larval strategy.
It directly targets the aquatic larval stage of the mosquito life cycle by eliminating their breeding grounds.
This involves actions like draining stagnant water, covering water storage containers, and clearing gutters.
By removing the water source, larvae cannot survive or develop into adult mosquitoes, making it a highly effective and sustainable control method.

Option A: Screening is a personal protection method that provides a physical barrier against adult mosquitoes.
Option B: Genetic control is classified as an anti-adult measure aimed at suppressing mosquito populations through reproductive interference (e.g., sterile male technique).
Option D: Residual sprays are an adulticidal (adult-killing) measure. The insecticide is applied to walls and surfaces where adult mosquitoes rest.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of mosquito control measures, specifically identifying anti-larval methods as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key role for community health nurses is educating the public on preventing vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.
Nurses can promote and organize 'Dry Day' campaigns, encouraging households to empty, scrub, and dry all water-holding containers at least once a week to break the Aedes mosquito life cycle.
What if? If a community is experiencing a sudden outbreak of dengue, environmental control remains crucial, but it would be supplemented with emergency anti-adult measures like fogging (space sprays) to quickly reduce the population of infected adult mosquitoes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question: 'anti-larval measure'. This means you are looking for a method that specifically targets the larva stage of the mosquito.
Recall the mosquito life cycle: Egg -> Larva -> Pupa -> Adult. The larval stage is aquatic.
Evaluate each option based on which stage it targets.
Screening blocks adults. Genetic control affects reproduction/adults. Residual sprays kill adults.
Environmental control involves managing water sources, which is where larvae live. Therefore, it is the correct anti-larval measure.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of mosquito control measures, specifically identifying anti-larval methods.
Stem keywords: anti-larval measure, mosquito control
Lead-in keywords: Which is

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) pp. 88-90, 89-91

Practise the full WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.