The survey was conducted on 21-24 September 1999 by the government health assistant to assess the community response to the SMITN project and use of nets including those from previous net project in 1995. The occupants of 50 randomly selected houses were questioned. Where possible the same households as in the previous survey were used; it was necessary to make 7 substitutions because household heads had moved away or died.

23 of the interviewees were males and 27 were females. 38 were married and 12 single. 1 had completed university education, 3 had received adult education, 21 had completed primary school, 16 had some primary education and 9 had no formal education. 48 described themselves as farmers and 2 were hospital employees. 6 household owned cows. 15 households had houses with corrugated iron rooves, the rest were in traditional tembe style.

The total number of occupants in the 50 households was 265, giving an average of 5.3 people per household. 143 (54%) were male and 122 (46%) females. 46 were under 5 years and 5 women were pregnant. In all, 33 households had occupants eligible for Lea Mwana subsidised nets i.e. MCH attendees.

47 households (94%) had bed nets. The total number of nets was 99 giving an average of 2 per house. Of these 86 were Olyset (from the 1995 net project), 9 were Njozi Njema and 1 Lea Mwana (from the SMITN project) and 3 were obtained elsewhere. 46 respondents said their nets were treated with insecticide and 8 had treated them themselves. 45 had bought their nets from the Mvumi 1995 bed net scheme, 5 from SMITN agents, 2 from the hospital pharmacy, 1 from the MCH clinic, 1 from a local shop and 1 from elsewhere.

29 households had enough nets for every member. 201 people slept under nets, 105 (73%) of the males and (79%) of the females. 45 (98%) of the under 5s slept under nets. Data was not available on how many of the pregnant women used nets. 94% of net owning households said they used them all year round, 6% said only during the rainy season.

The most obvious effects of using nets were: fewer mosquitoes 94% of net users, less malaria 84%, less tick-borne relapsing fever 84%, fewer insects 74%, less tick bites 70%, less fevers 70%. 94% said their net was less effective now because it killed less insects 86%, there were more mosquitoes 64%, there were more insects in the house 60% there were more fevers in the family 46%, it has holes 32%. 92% said they could make their net more effective by treating with insecticide.

42% said their nets were worn out. 94% said they would buy more nets. Reasons for not buying nets were: they were not available locally 54%, too expensive 54%, lack of cash because of poor harvest 28%, don’t like them 14%.

When asked about possible improvements to the SMITN project, 88% said they wanted more information and feedback, 62% better availability of insecticide, 56% better availability of nets, and 10% more re-treatment.

A recent survey of bed net usage in Mvumi is here.