Reports of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets catching on fire: a threat to bed net users and to successful malaria control?

Malaria Journal

Research

Roch Houngnihin¹  Carine Baxerres²  Fabrice Chandre³  Franck Remoué³  Georgia Damien⁴  Cédric Pennetier⁴  Marc Egrot⁴  Armel Djènontin⁵  Vincent Corbel⁶ 

[1] Département de Sociologie et d’Anthropologie, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin;MERIT-UMR 216: Mère et enfant face aux infections tropicales, IRD, Paris, France;Centre d’Étude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et l’Enfance (CERPAGE), Cotonou, Bénin;MIVEGEC, Maladies Infectieuses à Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, IRD, 224-CNRS 5290-Universités de Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France;MIVEGEC, Maladies Infectieuses à Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, IRD, 224-CNRS 5290-Universités de Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France;Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Bénin;MIVEGEC, Maladies Infectieuses à Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, IRD, 224-CNRS 5290-Universités de Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France;Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Bénin;Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin;MIVEGEC, Maladies Infectieuses à Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, IRD, 224-CNRS 5290-Universités de Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France;Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kasetsart University, Thailand;

关键词: Malaria;    Bed nets;    Anthropology;    Fires;    Use rate;    Communication strategy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1475-2875-13-247

 received in 2014-02-04, accepted in 2014-06-19,  发布年份 2014

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundOne of the control tools to reduce malaria transmission is the use of LLINs. However, several studies show that household bed net use is quite low. A study was developed to better understand the cultural factors that might explain these gaps in Benin. One reason mentioned is that bed nets can catch on fire and cause harm. This paper presents a summary of these findings, their analysis and the ensuing issues.MethodsThis anthropological study is based on an inductive qualitative approach, including 91 semi-structured interviews conducted from July 2011 to March 2012 in a health district in Southern Benin.ResultsFifty-six persons stated that bed nets can catch on fire but do not always refer to specific facts. However, 34 of the 56 people narrate specific events they heard or experienced. 39 accounts were geographically located and situated in time, with various details. In 27 situations, people were burned, for which 12 people reportedly died.DiscussionThe disparity between these results and the dearth of bibliographic documentation in the initial search prompted a more in-depth literature review: 16 contributions between 1994 and 2013 were found. Bed net fires were noted in 10 countries, but it is impossible to ascertain the frequency of such events. Moreover, bodily harm can be significant, and several cases of death attributed to bed net fires were noted.ConclusionsIndisputably, the use of bed nets to reduce the impact of this terrible disease is an optimal control method. However, the perception that LLINs have a potentially negative effect hinders the use rate in the real world, at least for some. If some people fear the risk of fires, this possibility must be addressed during information and prevention sessions on malaria, with a communication strategy tailored to specific social contexts. Moreover, all possible measures should be taken to limit the harm suffered by individuals and their families.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Egrot et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2014