August 2006, id21 insights health #9

Hitting malaria where it hurts

Household and community responses in Africa

Each year at least 300 million cases of malaria result in more than a million deaths worldwide. Ninety percent of these deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa and most are children under five years old. Preventing and treating malaria are now firmly on the international public health and global poverty agendas. However, despite a considerable increase in funds over recent years the malaria burden in much of sub-Saharan Africa shows little sign of decreasing.

Other articles in this issue:

Buying the best?

Household malaria prevention in The Gambia

More effort is being made to promote the large-scale use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) for malaria control. Yet many households still invest in other costly mosquito protection products instead of ITNs.

To buy or not to buy?

Communities and bed nets in rural Ghana

In some parts of Ghana, untreated bed nets to prevent mosquito bites are commonly used. Why do some Ghanaians choose these over more effective insecticide treated nets?

Forgotten people

Malaria control in refugee camps

Controlling malaria amongst refugees is a major challenge for host countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, most refugees live in areas where malaria is the primary cause of illness and death.

Seeking treatment for childhood fevers in Tanzania

In Tanzania, parents seeking treatment for children with severe, often malaria-related, fever vary in their choice of care. Their choice is influenced by a range of social and cultural factors that need to be better understood if children are to be successfully treated.

Mosquito nets challenge tradition in Tanzania

New bylaws in 2002 legislating against 'misleading traditions' were passed in Kyela, southwest Tanzania. Although the bylaws were said to address malaria control, their formulation was influenced by local traditions.

Malaria: the acceptable disease in Tanzania

Kenyan communities fight back against malaria

Over the past two decades malaria has become a growing problem in the highlands of western Kenya. In the Gusii highlands, malaria is now responsible for 33 percent of deaths and more than 60 percent of deaths in children under five.

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Forthcoming issues

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• HIV and AIDS
• Fisheries
• Crisis states
• Substance abuse

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