Intra-household mosquito net use in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia: are nets being used? Who in the household uses them?
Mosquito net ownership is rising in sub-Saharan Africa but will substantially reduce malaria only if nets are used and the most vulnerable household members sleep under them. We used data from 9 large-scale household surveys conducted in 6 African countries from 2000 to 2004 that enumerated all household members and nets owned, analyzing only net-owning households. Across countries, women of reproductive age and children under 5 (without gender bias) were most likely to use the net; least likely were children of age 5-14 and adult males. Nets commonly covered 2-3 people. If a baby net was used, fewer people used the family net. Pregnant women were more likely to use a net in 2004 than in 2000. In several countries, a sizable minority of nets owned were not used. Understanding intra-household net-use patterns helps malaria control programs more effectively direct their efforts to increase their public health impact.
Baume
Carol A
CA
Academy for Educational Development, Washington, DC 20009, USA. cbaume@aed.org
Marin
M Celeste
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D017677:Age Distribution; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors