Physical condition and maintenance of mosquito bed nets in Kwale County, coastal Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite the extensive ownership and use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) over the last decade, the effective lifespan of these nets, especially their physical integrity, under true operational conditions is not well-understood. Usefulness of nets declines primarily due to physical damage or loss of insecticidal activity.

Methods

A community based cross-sectional survey was used to determine the physical condition and to identify predictors of poor physical condition for bed nets owned by individuals from communities in Kwale County, coastal Kenya. A proportionate hole index (pHI) was used as a standard measure, and the cut-offs for an 'effective net' (offer substantial protection against mosquito bites) and 'ineffective nets' (offer little or no protection again

SUBMITTER: Mutuku FM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3572415 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature