MALARIA PREVALENCE AND USE OF SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES AGAINST MOSQUITOS IN SUBA DISTRICT, KENYA

Malaria prevalence and status among other diseases were assessed in Su ba District, Kenya, using data from past parasitological surveys and h ospital records of clinically-diagnosed cases. A short prospective sur vey was also carried out to determine the methods people used for self protection against mosquito bites. Malaria was the leading cause of m orbidity, constituting 42-48% of all illnesses clinically diagnosed at two health centres over a two-year period. Other common endemic disea ses included infections of the upper respiratory and urinary tracts. T he highest monthly number of malaria cases were recorded in July of ea ch year. Malaria parasite rates in blood samples from people examined at 14 screening centres ranged from 24.4% to 99% over a distance of ab out 25 kilometres, The most popular method of self-protection against mosquitoes was mosquito nets followed by mosquito (pyrethrum-based) co ils. Other methods included insecticidal sprays and smoke from plants traditionally associated with mosquito repellence.