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Combining malaria control with house electrification: adherence to recommended behaviours for proper deployment of solar‐powered mosquito trapping systems, R usinga I sland, western K enya
Author(s) -
Oria Prisca A.,
Alaii Jane,
Ayugi Margaret,
Takken Willem,
Leeuwis Cees
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.12514
Subject(s) - environmental health , checklist , software deployment , medicine , kerosene , business , environmental protection , geography , psychology , computer science , chemistry , cognitive psychology , organic chemistry , operating system
Objective To investigate community adherence to recommended behaviours for proper deployment of solar‐powered mosquito trapping systems ( SM o TS ) after 3‐ to 10‐week use. Methods Solar‐powered mosquito trapping system, which also provided power for room lighting and charging mobile phones, were installed in houses in R usinga I sland, western K enya. We used a structured checklist for observations and a semi‐structured questionnaire for interviews in 24 homesteads. We also analysed the subject of 224 community calls to the project team for technical maintenance of SM o TS . Results Most respondents cared for SM o TS by fencing, emptying and cleaning the trap. Our observations revealed that most traps were fenced, clean and in good working condition. A significantly higher proportion of community calls was lighting‐related. Lighting was the main reason respondents liked SM o TS because it reduced or eliminated expenditure on kerosene. However, some respondents observed they no longer heard sounds of mosquitoes inside their houses. All respondents reportedly slept under insecticide‐treated nets ( ITN s) before receiving SM o TS . After receiving SM o TS , most respondents reportedly continued to use ITN s citing that the project advised them to do so. Some beach residents stopped using ITN s because they no longer heard mosquitoes or due to heat discomfort caused by lights. Conclusion Electricity‐related incentives played a greater role in encouraging adherence to recommended behaviours for proper deployment of SM o TS than the potential health benefits in the early stages of the intervention. Although energy‐related financial incentives may play a role, they are insufficient to ensure adherence to health advice, even in the short term. Ongoing community engagement and research monitors and addresses adherence to recommended behaviours including continuation of current malaria control strategies.