Public education as a structural determinant of integrated mosquito management: A narrative synthesis of behavioral, institutional, and contextual evidence from Nigeria

Background Public education represents a critical yet under-synthesized component of Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM), particularly in low- and middle-income countries where mosquito-borne diseases pose substantial public health burdens. This narrative review systematically examines the role of public education within IMM frameworks in Nigeria, addressing a significant gap in the existing literature. Methods A comprehensive narrative review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Literature searches were performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar databases for publications between 2000 and 2025. Studies examining educational interventions within mosquito control programs in Nigeria and comparable settings were synthesized thematically. Results The review identified 87 eligible studies, demonstrating that public education significantly enhances knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to mosquito control. Educational interventions were most effective when integrated with environmental management, surveillance systems, and community mobilization approaches. Key outcomes included improved source reduction behaviors, enhanced community surveillance participation, and increased utilization of preventive measures. However, effectiveness varied substantially across urban, peri-urban, and rural contexts, influenced by literacy levels, gender dynamics, and infrastructural factors. Conclusions Public education constitutes an essential structural component of IMM rather than an ancillary activity. For Nigeria, institutionalizing education within national malaria elimination frameworks, developing standardized evaluation metrics, and ensuring context-specific adaptation are critical priorities. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, standardized outcome measures, and mixed-methods approaches to strengthen the evidence base for educational interventions in vector control.