[Utilization of permethrin-impregnated curtains by the inhabitants of a rural community in Burkina Faso].

The degree of utilisation of permethrin-impregnated curtains was assessed in a rural community near Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Results showed that in the first half of the night, until 11-11.30 p.m., curtains were only partially used by the community. Indeed by this time around 50% of houses had doors well protected by curtains and, over 35% of the community, children and adults, were staying outside. A very marked pattern of this behavior was found, wrong utilisation of curtains being higher in the warm season and lower in the cold season. On the one hand, this situation decreased the potential action of curtains as a barrier to avoid mosquito-man contact and, on the other hand, facilitated the exposure of community to the risk of outdoor infection. These findings may explain the variable level of efficacy showed by curtains in the prevention of malaria morbidity, which seems to be higher in the period between January and February, the winter season in Burkina Faso. The possible application of impregnated curtains as a community-based vector control method is discussed.