Research

The effects of zooprophylaxis and other mosquito control measures against malaria in Nouna, Burkina Faso

Shelby S Yamamoto¹ , Valérie R Louis¹ , Ali Sié² and Rainer Sauerborn¹

¹  Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

²  Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna, BP 02, Nouna, Burkina Faso

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Malaria Journal 2009, 8:283doi:10.1186/1475-2875-8-283

Published:	9 December 2009

Abstract

Background

In the absence of large scale, organized vector control programmes, individual protective measures against mosquitoes are essential for reducing the transmission of diseases like malaria. Knowledge of the types and effectiveness of mosquito control methods used by households can aid in the development and promotion of preventive measures.

Methods

A matched, population-based case control study was carried out in the semi-urban region of Nouna, Burkina Faso. Surveys and mosquito captures were conducted for each participating household. Data were analysed using conditional logistic regression and Pearson's product-moment correlations.

Results

In Nouna, Burkina Faso, the main types of reported mosquito control measures used included sleeping under bed nets (insecticide-treated and untreated) and burning mosquito coils. Most of the study households kept animals within the compound or house at night. Insecticide house sprays, donkeys, rabbits and pigs were significantly associated with a reduced risk of malaria only in univariate analyses.

Conclusion

Given the conflicting results of the effects of zooprophylaxis from previous studies, other community-based preventive measures, such as bed nets, coils and insecticide house-spraying, may be of more benefit.