Housing gaps, mosquitoes and public viewpoints: a mixed methods assessment of relationships between house characteristics, malaria vector biting risk and community perspectives in rural Tanzania

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Emmanuel W. Kaindoa, Marceline Finda, Jepchirchir Kiplagat, Gustav Mkandawile, Anna Nyoni, Maureen Coetzee, Fredros O. Okumu
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018
• Subjects: Community knowledge; Malaria transmission; Housing characteristics; Environmental features; Mosquitoes; Tanzania; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-018-2450-y; https://doaj.org/article/df8f00f0ec5845a1b0f9ba10503c6f4d

Abstract Background House improvement and environmental management can significantly improve malaria transmission control in endemic communities. This study assessed the influence of physical characteristics of houses and surrounding environments on mosquito biting risk in rural Tanzanian villages, and examined knowledge and perceptions of residents on relationships between these factors and malaria transmission. The study further assessed whether people worried about these risks and how they coped. Methods Entomological surveys of indoor mosquito densities were conducted across four villages in Ulanga district, south-eastern Tanzania. The survey involved 48 sentinel houses sampled monthly and other sets of 48 houses randomly recruited each month for one-off sampling over 12 months. Physical characteristics of the houses and surrounding environments were recorded. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 200 household heads to assess their knowledge and concerns regarding the observed housing and environmental features, and whether they considered these features when constructing houses. Focus group discussions, were conducted to clarify emergent themes on people’s perceptions on relationships between housing or environmental factors and malaria transmission. Results The entomological surveys showed statistically higher indoor densities of the malaria vectors (Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus) in houses with mud walls compared to plastered or brick walls, open eaves compared to closed eaves and unscreened windows compared to screened windows. Most respondents reported that their houses allowed mosquito entry, at least partially. Participants were aware that house structure and environmental characteristics influenced indoor mosquito densities and consequently malaria transmission. They were concerned about living in poorly-constructed houses with gaps on eaves, walls, windows and doors but were constrained by low income. Conclusion In rural south-eastern Tanzania, significant proportions of people ...