Mosquito Nets not Preventing Malaria

The current manufactured insecticide mosquito nets have increased the rate at which malaria is being spread, due to the size of their holes. The holes are so large that the mosquitoes, bed bugs, and fleas easily pass through them to feed on their prey, and victims while they are 

asleep.

 

              Baby sleeps under a mosquito net to safe guard against insect bites.

In Uganda, most mosquito nets in circulation have holes of about 3mm, which is large enough for small insects to pass through, and fed on people who try to protect themselves from insect bite. These types of mosquito nets that come in different colors are remotely sold in super markets, shops, and street vending as a means of mass campaign of malaria prevention.

This has increased the number of malaria related cases in homesteads that bought these mosquito nets to prevent themselves against malaria.

According to the world malaria report 2012 World Health Malaria Report insecticide –treated nets are distributed in Uganda for free to particular age groups in the public sector, and to all age groups through malaria prevention mass campaigns. Ably, NGO’s Rotarian's, those seeking re-election, and good Samaritans have been on spotlight in this campaign.

Genuinely, a good mosquito net should have small holes of about 1mm in size or less, and should not give room for biting insects to pass through them. The small holes in insecticide nets are meant to allow fresh air to the persons preventing mosquito bites.

Malaria can however be prevented in many ways which include but not limited to;

·    Sleeping under insecticide- treated nets by hanging it around the bed to prevent mosquito bites on your skin, and eventual spread of malaria.

·    Indoor residual spraying with a mosquito insecticide spray especially in the evening in order to kill, and send the mosquitoes away. This is the primarily control intervention used by many households.

·    Using prallethrin household insecticide Liquid vaporizers, in areas with electricity, provided they are not expired.

·    Burning bushes around homesteads that is likely to be mosquito breeding ground, and often smoking pit latrines, at least twice a month.

·   Remotely pouring used oil in water logged areas, and places of likely breeding ground for mosquitoes.In a nutshell, when attacked by malaria, you should visit the nearest medical facility for testing, and treatment if diagnosed with malaria. Malaria is treated with quinine, artemether IM or artesunate suppositories. It’s also advisable to have some pain killers in the house, which you can swallow when feeling uncomfortable with malaria.