Malaria N° 10 - Subject N° 5

FACTORS AFFECTING THE USE OF INSECTICIDE TREATED NETS IN A COMMERCIAL FARMING COMMUNITY IN HONDE VALLEY, EASTERN ZIMBABWE
E.I. Chirebvu and S.K. Chandiwana

SUMMARY
A study was conducted to gather information on some factors affecting the successful implementation of an insecticide treated mosquito bed net programme in the Eastern Highlands Plantations, in Eastern Zimbabwe. At the same time malaria parasite surveys were carried out in both the control and intervention groups.

The process of treating mosquito nets with an insecticide was acceptable and overwhelming. However factors such as house structure, sleeping habits, response of individuals to malaria attacks, family size, type of mosquito net and formulation of the insecticide used, played a major role in the success of the mosquito bednet implementation programme.