Permethrin resistance of Anopheles mosquito species across diverse habitats in rural and urban areas of Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria

Abstract Background Various habitats have been shown to support the breeding of mosquitoes in both urban and rural settings, which has led to an increase in the population of these pathogen-transmitting vectors. Urbanisation has emerged as a key driver of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes primarily due to the increased use of insecticides, which exert selective pressure on the mosquito population leading to the development of resistance. The rise of insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary malaria vector, threatens malaria control in Nigeria. Methods This study characterised various Mosquito breeding sites across rural and urban habitats in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria, and identified the diversity of Anopheles mosquitoes using morphological keys and PCR techniques. The resistance profile of Anopheles mosquitoes to permethrin was determined using the WHO standard insecticide bioassay. Results Six habitat types were identified among the 120 habitats sampled, with puddles being the most frequently occurring breeding site. Two members of the Anopheles gambiae family were identified as malaria vectors. High knockdown rates (KDT50 & KDT90 ) were observed in four rural and four urban LGAs in Ogun state and one urban LGA in Oyo state, indicating resistance to permethrin. In contrast, mosquitoes in Akinyele and Ibadan North LGAs were susceptible to permethrin, while those in Oyo East LGA exhibited reduced susceptibility. Conclusion These findings are crucial for understanding the dynamics of insecticide resistance in developing regions and can inform the development of specific targeted vector control strategies aimed at strengthening malaria control programs in Nigeria.