Malaria prevention practices in peri-urban zones of two health districts of Burkina Faso

Introduction: Malaria prevention constitutes a key strategy to control this disease in Burkina Faso. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in July and August 2011, assessed malaria prevention practices of populations of pen-urban zones of the Bogodogo and Boulmiougou health districts of the city of Ouagadougou. Results: A total of 180 household heads, 192 mothers of children under the age of 5 years and 30 pregnant women were surveyed. For 86.7% household heads, 92% of mothers of children under the age of five years and 96.5% of pregnant women, mosquito bites represented the main mode of transmission of malaria. The majority of survey subjects reported a preference for mosquito coils rather than mosquito nets on the night preceding the survey. Discussion: The content of malaria prevention communication must take into account sociodemographic realities and lifestyles of population groups, such as those living in peri-urban regions.