Use of malaria prevention measures in Malawian households.
Information on malaria prevention practices in households was obtained in a nation-wide knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey in Malawi. Of the 1,531 heads of household questioned, 55% were able to identify mosquitoes as the cause of malaria. Use of any type of malaria prevention method was reported by 52% of respondents. Among users, 47% used commercial products (insecticide, mosquito coils, bednets), and 64% used natural measures (burning leaves, dung, or wood); 11% used both. The most common commercial measure used was mosquito coils (16%) followed by insecticide spray (11%) and bednets (7%). Increasing household income and educational level of the household head were strongly correlated with use of commercial methods to prevent malaria; households with an income ranked moderate or greater were eight times more likely to have used a purchased product. Use of natural measures was correlated with lower income and educational level. Thirty-six percent of respondents reported having heard or seen information on malaria in the previous year. Use of household malaria preventive measures in Malawi is very low and income-dependent. Educational messages are required to improve understanding and use of affordable measures.
Ziba
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Community Health Sciences Unit, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Slutsker
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Chitsulo
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Steketee
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RW
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D009033:Culicidae; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D007303:Insect Vectors; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged