M. K. Aikins

TL;DR: In a country such as The Gambia, where nets were widely used and which has a good primary health care system, it is possible to achieve insecticide-treatment of bednets at a national level with a significant reduction in child mortality; but at a cost which the country cannot afford.

TL;DR: Bednets were used to a varying extent, from 44% Ghana to 86% Gambia, in each community to protect against mosquito bites but also for other purposes such as privacy, decoration and protection from roof debris dropping on the bed.

TL;DR: Background data on child mortality and morbidity from malaria were obtained in a new study area in the centre of The Gambia, south of the river, chosen as the site for a malaria intervention trial and suggested that malaria was an uncommon cause of death in children under the age of one year but responsible for about 40% of deaths in children aged 1-4 years.

TL;DR: It is concluded that insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets are one of the more efficient ways of reducing deaths in children under 10 years in rural Gambia.

TL;DR: Variation in malaria prevalence rates (after bednet usage has been taken into account) may be related to factors such as poverty and access to health care, and/or to localized differences in the ecology of The Gambia, which determine the duration and intensity of transmission.