Knowledge and attitudes to malaria control and acceptability of permethrinimpregnated sisal curtains

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to conduct a survey on the kn owledge and practices relating to malaria prevention and treatment in two r ural communities in Western Kenya, and to determine the acceptability of sp ecially designed permethrin impregnated sisal strands curtains previously i ntroduced into one of the study communities as barriers to mosquito biting. Design: A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey was conducted by pre-trained interviewers using a pre-tested questionnaire. Setting: The study was conducted in two communities located 15 km northwest of Kisumu town, and next to the swamps bordering Lake Victoria in Kisumu D istrict, Western Kenya. Participants: Adult individuals from 50 houses selected from the interventi on, and 50 houses from the control sites were included in the study, Results: Both communities had a clear conception of malaria and its symptom s, and of the mosquito as its vector. Malaria was recognised as a potential cause of death by 44% and 72% of the participants in the intervention and control sites respectively. Sixty two per cent to 74% of the people intervi ewed in both sites named mosquitoes as the causative agents of malaria. Chl oroquine was still the drug of choice for malaria treatment, with over 70% usage among the study population. Mention of pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine/ sulfalene as alternative therapy was below five per cent. De spite a high level (86%) of awareness of bednets as effective barriers to m osquito biting, they were reported in use by less than 35% in both communit ies. Sisal strand curtains were considered effective and acceptable to more than 80% of the community. Conclusions: The results of this study underscore the existing need for aff ordable means of mosquito control, such as sisal strand curtains, for such rural communities which may be acutely aware of the problems associated wit h malaria, but are constrained from taking any action by lack of resources.