Background: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are emerging as a serious public health problem in India and other countries of the South-East Asia Region. The use of personal protection (PP) methods has been advocated as an effective tool against VBDs. Objective: To study the attitude and practices regarding mosquito borne diseases and socio-demographic determinants for use of PP methods among adults in coastal Pondicherry. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted during Feb 2010 among 1674 adults in coastal Pondicherry. Results: 1411 (84.29%) of study subjects were using one or the other form of PP methods against mosquito borne diseases. The use of mosquito repellant coil and liquid vapourizer were commonest among PP methods used. Use of PP methods by females was almost same as compared to males. Respondents living in semi-pucca or kutcha houses were more likely to practice PP methods as compared to respondents living in pucca houses (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.87-1.57). Only 1131 (67.56%) respondents had expressed willingness to cooperate with insecticide spraying operation done by local authority. Conclusion: Use of PP methods was found to be low among younger, working respondents and those belonging to economically backward classes. Hence, IEC activities and social marketing strategies need to be intensified among these categories for prevention and control of mosquito borne diseases.

Key words: mosquito control, mosquito nets, demography, attitude; insect vectors.