Economic impact of febrile morbidity and use of permethrin-impregnated bednets in a malarious area II. Determinants of febrile episodes and the costof their treatment and malaria prevention

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of permethrin insect icide-treated bed net (PITN) use on the incidence of febrile episodes and o n household malaria expenses in Benin. Over the course of one year, 208 ran domly selected PITN user and non-user households were visited weekly to det ermine expenditures on febrile morbidity and its treatment, and to monitor spending on malaria prevention. Multivariate analyses were performed to dis tinguish the effects of PITN use from other important determinants of morbi dity, such as malaria-related beliefs and practices, income, and other soci o-economic variables. Results from the logistic regression analysis show th at the use of PITNs decreases the risk of febrile episodes by 34% in childr en living in the rural zone. Multiple regression analysis reveals that PITN use does not reduce prevention and treatment expenses. These expenses are significantly associated with women's income. This report also discusses ot her factors associated with febrile morbidity and malaria-related expenditu res.