House modifications as a malaria control tool: how does local context shape participants' experience and...

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Urban planning
• Malariology

Background:

• Growing evidence suggests housing design can mitigate malaria transmission.
• Housing modifications like screening and insecticide-treated eaves offer protection.
• Household adoption is critical for large-scale malaria prevention through housing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore residents' experiences and interpretations of housing modifications in Jinja, Uganda.
• To provide a holistic account of how local context influences the adoption of malaria-preventive housing.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study conducted from January to June 2021.
• Included participant observation, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews.
• Data collected before and during the installation of four housing modification types.

Main Results:

• Most residents supported the housing modifications.
• Experiences and interpretations were influenced by housing types, construction processes, land ownership, and cultural beliefs.
• Local context significantly shapes the reception of housing interventions.

Conclusions:

• Programmes must consider local context, including ownership, preferences, social significance of housing, and beliefs, to maximize uptake.
• Understanding these factors is essential for effective malaria control through housing modifications.
• Findings may be relevant to other settings facing similar challenges.