Tying up a net or storing it when not in use
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• Promote storing or tying up as an easy daily routine done by responsible, caring individuals that takes little to no time
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• Involve children and other household members
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Washing nets
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• Emphasize proper washing practices and frequency – wash net 3–4 times a year in a basin or bucket with water and mild soap, not detergent or bleach
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• Position nets as special, not to be treated like clothes, to be washed infrequently to protect the “medicine”
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• Keep nets tied up and/or stored when not in use to prevent dirt
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• Consider procuring coloured nets since they are less likely to show dirt
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• Manufacturers develop nets with insecticides that can stand a greater number of washes
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• Conduct trials of improved practices to explore how households can make washing less damaging and frequent
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Repair behaviour
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Recommendations
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Repair (sewing, patching, knotting)
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• Promote benefits of repair: malaria prevention purposes; saving money on purchasing a new net and on treatment for malaria
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• Emphasize the ease and short time required to repair small holes
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• Emphasize checking nets for holes routinely and repairing small holes immediately
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• Raise perceived dangers of delaying net repair: risk of malaria, financial costs of nets and treatment
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• Position repair as an intelligent and efficient use of resources
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• Position those who repair as responsible people who care for their family’s well-being and for having an attractive net and a well-kept home
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• Promote people who repair as people who are worthy of being appreciated and recognized
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• Create a norm of repairing by making it public (e.g., net repair as part of school homework)
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