Table 1 Description of the main themes and concepts investigated in the survey to assess knowledge and perceptions on mosquitoes, mosquito swarms and malaria transmission

1

Perception of risks associated with mosquitoes

How big is the mosquito problem in your home/village?

Assessment of knowledge and perception of risk and vulnerability towards mosquitoes and malaria

What diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes?

Have you or anyone in your family gotten malaria over the past 12 months?

2

Burden of malaria, the interventions currently being used and costs incurred by households

How do you protect yourself or your family from mosquito bites?

Estimation of burden of malaria and the cost of treatment and prevention incurred by households

How much did you spend for protecting against mosquito bites over the past 12 months?

How many members of your household have gotten malaria over the past 12 months?

How much did you spend on malaria treatment over the past 12 months

3

Knowledge and perception about mosquito swarms and perceived risks associated with the swarms

Have you ever seen mosquito swarms (the interviewer described using gestures what he/she meant by swarms)?

Assessment of knowledge, awareness and perceptions regarding mosquito swarms and any risks associated with swarms

What places did you see mosquito swarms?

What time of the day did you see mosquito swarms?

What do you think mosquitoes do when they swarm?

Do you think swarming mosquitoes are dangerous?

4

Acceptance and willingness to pay for interventions that target mosquito swarms

Do you think mosquito swarms should be prevented?

Assessment of the need for swarm-targeting interventions and willingness to use and contribute towards associated costs

Would you be willing to use an intervention that would kill mosquito swarms?

Would you be willing to make financial contributions towards these interventions

How much would you be willing to pay annually for an intervention that effectively kills mosquito swarms?