Hey guys! It is Blog About Malaria Month and I'd like to tell you about my experience discussing malaria prevention with my host family in Bayakh, Senegal!
My name is Christina Bryant and I am from Rockville, MD USA. My Community Based Training site is in Bayakh, Senegal.
My family lives in a compound with 5 rooms and they have mosquito nets for each sleeping space in the compound. However after asking them about their use, I found out they only use them during the wet/hot season, June through November. I suggested they put them up during the remaining months but they reported that it is a hassle. Instead I discussed with them about the care of mosquito nets and it turns out they were very knowledgeable about them. They knew to wash them 3 to 4 times a year and to dry them in the shade. I asked if they knew how to make a princess net which is a net that hangs from one point in the ceiling instead of from 4 posts. A family friend said he had heard about it and told me he knew how to make them. Then I shared with them tips on how to wash the mosquito nets. I told them that it was alright to use soap but that they should not hear the infamous Senegalese "squish" noise while washing them; otherwise, the chemicals might wash away completely. I asked them how long viable mosquito nets should last and they guessed one year. It turns out the nets may last up to two years!
Here is a picture of me fixing the hole in my net. I did not want to undo the ties from my posts since they were tied pretty tight but I invited my family to come and see the technique I used to sew up the hole.
So lets spread the word and Stomp Out Malaria!!!!! Use those nets and make sure to properly care for them!!
World Malaria Day: April 25th
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