[Methods and expenses for protection against mosquitoes in households in Kinshasa, Zaire]

An investigation on the knowledge, behaviour and practices regarding the protection against mosquitoes was carried out in June 1990 among 420 households in six districts of urban Kinshasa. Most of the surveyed families (92.4%) consider mosquitoes as a nuisance and 83.8% say to do something about it. Among the latter, 43.5% spend money for their protection: incense coils (85.6%), insecticide sprays (55.5%), bednets (38.6%). In May 1990, families have spent a median sum of US$ 5.00, which was at that time about the price of an impregnated bednet. 89.5% of the surveyed families said they would agree to buy an impregnated bednet if the price was acceptable (median sum of US$ 4.00 is judged as acceptable). Impregnated bednets being an efficient method of malaria control, financially accessible and acceptable, their utilization should be further encouraged by the national programme of malaria control and primary health care.