IDEAS FOR ACTION
Bed nets against malaria
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ne of the best ways of preventing malaria is to avoid coming in contact with mosquitos. Many people use bednets (mosquito nets) to protect themselves against insect bites.When properly used, they also help to protect against malaria. Always tuck the lower edge of the bednet under the bedding in order to be sure to keep the mosquitos out;
they are after your blood!
The nets can be easily used by anyone, and are not very expensive.
They can be made by hand or machine in a variety of mesh sizes, textures, weights and colours.
Those sold in shops are usually made of a fine mesh of cotton or synthetic fibres such as nylon or polyester. There are many different sizes, shapes and methods of hanging them.
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Impregnating the net with an
1. Measure the quantity of permethrin for soaking solution.
3. Dry fabric flat on a plastic sheet, avoiding direct sunshine.
insecticide makes it even more effective, and this is proving to be an important way of controlling the spread of malaria. By killing mos- quitos that come in contact with the net, the insecticide reduces the risk of being bitten. Even when the net is not in use it kills mosquitos that touch it. Only insecticides containing pyrethroids should be used.
Here are some of the advantages of using impregnated bednets:
-they are easy to use;
-they reduce the exposure of children to insect-borne diseases;
-other pests besides mosquitos are also killed, such as cockroa- ches, fleas, lice, biting flies, ants, houseflies, mites and bedbugs;
-they allow one to sleep in rela- tive comfort;
-they provide privacy.
2. Soak and squeeze fabric to absorb insecticide solution, then wring gently.
Excess solution should drip back into the bowl.
4. After a while hang up fabric to speed up drying.
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A mosquito coil
A plant against mosquitos!
The pyrethrum plant ( Chrv- santhemum cinerariaefolium) contains active substances (pyrethrins) which are toxic to insects. The active material can be extracted with a solvent from the dried flowers and stems and is commonly used in household hand sprays. Dried pyrethrum flowers ground to a powder or the extract are used to produce anti-mosquito sticks and coils.
Due to uncertain supplies.
however. as well as the recent introduction of several new and more effective synthetic pyreth- roids. the use of pyrethrum has recently declined.
The use of bednets can be pro- moted through community action.
• Bought in large numbers they are much cheaper than bought singly.
• Impregnation with insecticide can be done at home, or jointly by all the villagers with the assis- tance of health personnel.
• Bednets can also be manufac- tured locally.
Contact your nearest malaria control programme for further information.
Bednets that kill mosquitos Anyone can learn to impregnate a bednet. The most difficult part is preparing the insecticide solution.
Once the solution has been pre- pared in the correct strength and the correct amount, the impreg- nation of the net is simple. The illustrations show how bednets can be impregnated.
Bednets can also be sewn at home. That is much cheaper than buying them ready-made. Why not start a family or community project?
Illustrations were prepared by the Division of Control of Tropical Diseases. WHO.
WORLD HEALTH. September-October 1991
