Insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) for malaria control: Factors relevant for utilization in a western Kenyan community

Alaii, J. A. (2003). Insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) for malaria control: Factors relevant for utilization in a western Kenyan community (pp. 173).

The studies reported in this thesis formed part of a multi-disciplinary investiga- tion into malaria control during a two-year trial of insecticide-treated bednets in rural western Kenya (Phillips-Howard et al., 2003[a]) and thereafter for two more years, March 1996 – January 1999 and May 1999 – May 2001 respec- tively. This chapter presents a general overview of malaria as a major public health problem, outlining the magnitude of its burden globally and in Africa, attempts to tackle the disease, including the use of insecticide-treated bednets. The rationale and conceptual framework for the studies making up the thesis are also presented. In the outline of the thesis we present a summary of the designs and conclusions drawn for each individual study. The chapter closes with general conclusions and recommendations pooled from all the studies included in this thesis.