[Knowledge, attitudes and practice of populations faced with culicidae nuisances: results of 6 surveys taken in Cameroon in 1994].

In 1994, six KAP studies were carried out in Cameroon to assess the importance of protective methods used by different population groups against culicine nuisance. The objective of these surveys was to evaluate the importance of the use of preventive measures by family against the parasite. The results show that in spite of a strongly resistant parasite in a hyperendemic malaria zone, the use of average protection remains very heterogeneous. Mosquito nets, identified as efficient protection, are used to varying degrees depending on the sites. In Douala, mosquito nets were found in 47% of households visited, with 65% of the inhabitants regularly using them. These figures rose to 75% and 82% respectively in a particularly exposed area of the city. In rural areas very few mosquito nets were identified with an average of one inhabitant per residence using them. The report of the study on the free distribution of mosquito nets and the reimpregnation of the nets six months later in Mbebe-Kikot village, showed that three years after the distribution of the nets, only 68% of the residences still had one mosquito net. In addition, only 9% of these nets were still in good condition. The results of these surveys showed that mosquito nets are more widely used in urban areas, with a higher number of inhabitants per household sleeping under them. They also showed that the free distribution of nets alone does not improve the protection of the population as they are not educated on the maintenance and care of the nets. So we can suggest to use different promotion and distribution strategies in urban area, where lot of people has got the experience of bed nets, and in rural area.